Granuloma inguinale

[Dorothey Allen]

Granuloma inguinale is a rare sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacteria Klebsiella granulomatis. It leads to chronic inflammation and scarring of the genitals.

• Granuloma inguinale typically causes a painless, red lump on or near the genitals, which slowly enlarges, then breaks down to form a sore.
• Doctors suspect the infection if people have typical symptoms and live in areas where the infection occurs, and doctors confirm the diagnosis by examining a sample of fluid scraped from the sore.
• Treatment with antibiotics is usually effective.

(See also Overview of Sexually Transmitted Diseases.)

Granuloma inguinale is extremely rare in developed countries but still occurs in Papua New Guinea, Australia, southern Africa, the Caribbean, and parts of Brazil and India.