Donovanosis overview
|
Donovanosis Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Donovanosis overview On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Donovanosis overview |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Kalsang Dolma, M.B.B.S.[2]
Overview
Donovanosis was first called "serpiginous ulcer" in 1882. Charles Donovan first identified the cause of these genital lesions in 1905, which he called "Donovan bodies," since the etiologic agent was unknown. Aragão & Vianna classified the agent as Calymmatobacterium granulomatis in 1913. However, sequencing analysis by Carter et al. revealed the agent to be Klebsiella granulomatis.
Causes
The causative organism, Klebsiella granulomatis, used to be called Calymmatobacterium granulomatis, from the Greek kalymma (a hood or veil), referring to the lesions that contain the bacteria. Prior to this it was called Donovania granulomatis, named after the Donovan Bodies.[1] The species name granulomatis refers to the granulomatous lesions. The organism was recently reclassified under the genus Klebsiella, a drastic taxonomic change, since it involved changing the organism's phylum.
Epidemiology and Demographics
Donovanosis is endemic in developing countries and mostly affects 20-40 years old men.
Diagnosis
Physical Examination
Clinically, the disease is commonly characterized as painless, progressive ulcerative lesions without regional lymphadenopathy.
Treatment
Prevention
Avoiding all sexual activity is the only absolute way to prevent a sexually transmitted disease such as donovanosis. However, safer sex behaviors may reduce your risk.
The proper use of condoms, either the male or female type, greatly decreases the risk of catching a sexually transmitted disease. You need to wear the condom from the beginning to the end of each sexual activity.
References
- ↑ Murray P. et al. (2005), Medical Microbiology, fifth ed., Elsevier Mosby, p. 336.