Using condoms can help prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like donovanosis.
Foto:
William B. Plowman / Getty Images
Although donovanosis (inguinal granuloma) is not a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the United States, given the advance in cases in the United Kingdom, the subject has become popular in the press and on social networks in recent days.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists several facts about taAlso called “flesh-eating” bacteria from the genitals.
The disease is caused by the bacterium “Klebsiella granulomatis” (Calymmatobacterium granulomatis). STD causes ulcers in the genital area from infection with gram-negative intracellular bacteria.
Medline Plus, from the US National Library of Medicine, indicates that in the US approximately 100 cases are reported per year.
The disease is transmitted through vaginal or anal intercourse. Sometimes, although very rare, it is spread during oral sex.
Here are five other important facts about this disease that will help you better understand its causes and ways to prevent it.
Countries where the disease is most common
According to the CDC, it is more common for cases of the disease to be reported in tropical or subtropical areas like India, South America and South Africa. Although at one point, donovanosis became an endemic disease in Australia, today it is extremely rare in that country.
Bloody sores on the genitals and nearby areas
Clinically, the disease is usually painless until slowly progresses to ulcerative lesions in the genitals or perineum without regional lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes or glands); Subcutaneous granulomas can also arise.
“The lesions are very vascular (that is, they look like red meat) and they can bleed. Extragenital infection can occur with infection spread to the pelvis, or it can spread to intra-abdominal organs, bones, or the mouth. The lesions can also develop a secondary bacterial infection and can coexist with other sexually transmitted pathogens, ”the CDC details on its website.
Diagnosis
The disease-causing organism is difficult to detect in culture, and diagnosis requires microscopic visualization of Donovan bodies in tissue smears or a biopsy. Molecular assays are also useful to identify the causative agent.
In many cases, the physician’s visual evaluation based on the appearance of the injury serves to make an accurate diagnosis of the disease.
Treatment
Several antibiotics are available for people with donovanosis and have proven effective against the bacteria. The most common is Azithromycin, although doctors also prescribe Doxycycline, Erythromycin y Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
“The treatment has been reported to stops progression of lesions, and healing typically proceeds inward from the ulcer margins. Prolonged therapy is usually required to allow the granulation and re-epithelialization of the ulcers ”, abounds in the Centers attached to the federal Department of Health.
Possible recurrence of ulcers
New outbreaks can occur between six and 18 months after apparently effective therapy.
Patients with the disease must keep follow-up appointments until they are completely cured of the infection, as well as undergo an HIV test, since they are more exposed than other people to the virus.
It may interest you:
Donovanosis, the rare sexually transmitted disease that spreads in the UK; They call it bacteria that eat meat from the genitals
eldiariony.com
Eddie is an Australian news reporter with over 9 years in the industry and has published on Forbes and tech crunch.