Granuloma Inguinale - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Granuloma inguinale Definition

Granuloma inguinale is a sexually-transmitted disease that is rarely seen in the United States. It causes surface destruction and granuloma formation in the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Granuloma inguinale may be characterized by nodules on the genitals that become lumpy, painless ulcers that bleed on contact. gynecomastia is a condition that causes enlargement of a male's breast s during puberty. A venereal disease may be characterized by a pimply rash of the skin in the genital and groin region.

It is primarily found among black and homosexual men; heterosexual partners of the infected rarely contract the bactnium. Peak incidence occurs between the ages of 20 and 45. Granuloma inguinale is also known as donovanosis, lupoid ulceration granuloma of the pudenda, granuloma contagiosa and granuloma venereum.

Granuloma inguinale Causes

Granuloma inguinale may be caused by Calymmatobacterium granulomatis. Calymmatobacterium granulomatis is a rod-shaped bacterium formerly called Donovania granulomatis. It is thought that anal intercourse, rather than vaginal intercourse, is the most frequent source of infection. Infection occurs from ingestion of contaminated food or water and inoculation through skin abrasions or mucous membranes. Person-to-person transmission occurs through anal intercourse.About 50% of infected men and women have lesions in the anal area.A venereal disease may be caused by a bacterium of the genus Calymmatobacterium

Granuloma inguinale disease is commonly found in tropical areas such as Southeast India, Guyana, and New Guinea, but it occurs on occasion in the United States, typically in the Southeast. There are approximately 100 cases reported per year in the United States. About 50% of infected men and women have lesions in the anal area. About 50% of infected men and women have lesions in the anal area.A venereal disease may be caused by a bacterium of the genus Calymmatobacterium

Granuloma inguinale Symptoms

Granuloma inguinale is characterized by painless, irregularly-shaped, beefy-red open sores on a cobblestone base. Initially, the lesions begin as indurated papules which slowly ulcerate. In its early stages, it may be difficult to differentiate granuloma inguinale from chancroid. In the later stages, granuloma inguinale may resemble advanced genital cancers, and lymphogranuloma venereum.

The other symptoms of the granuloma inguinale may be included:

• Spread of disease to the inguinal folds
• Depigmentation of the genitals and surrounding skin
• These nodules are usually painless and bleed easily if traumatized
• Gradual spreading, with erosion and destruction of genital tissue
• Untreated disease results in mutilation and destruction of the genital tissue.
• Small, beefy-red bump on the genitalia or the perianal area that gradually eats away the skin and forms an elevated, and beefy-red

Granuloma inguinale Treatments

A complete cure of granuloma inguinale requires fairly long treatment. Most treatment courses run 3 weeks or until the lesions have completely healed.

Although the skin ulcers will start to show signs of healing in about a week, the patient must take the full course of medication to minimize the possibility of relapse.

Tetracycline, doxycycline, sulfamethoxazole, gentamicin, streptomycin, ciprofloxacin and erythromycin are the antibiotics may be uses for the treatments of the granuloma inguinale.