Cause |
Bacteria - Calymmatobacterium
granulomatis. |
Distribution |
Countries with warm humid climates
for example, Africa, Papua New Guinea, Southern India and South
USA. |
Transmission |
Sexual |
Incubation |
Uncertain, probably long. |
Symptoms |
Red painless nodule which develops
into a raised ulcer with a raw beefy surface. |
Diagnosis |
- Physical examination.
- Microscopic examination of crushed
tissue.
- Skin biopsy.
|
Treatment |
Tetracycline and co-trimoxazole
(a sulphonamide containing antibiotic) by mouth or streptomycin
injections. |
Complications |
- Severe scarring causing obstruction
to the flow of lymph (a tissue fluid). This may lead to genital
elephantiasis (swelling and distortion of the genitals).
- Untreated infection may spread
to the surrounding skin and to the rectum.
- Cancerous change may develop
in long-standing untreated cases.
|