What is Granuloma? Granuloma (donovanosis) is a medical condition characterized by a noncancerous inflammation in the tissue. Typically, it encompasses only a small part of the tissue, and a person with one usually does not experience any signs or symptoms. The majority of granulomas are the result of an injury to the tissue, particularly as the result of infection. They can occur in the lungs, and their most common cause there is a fungal infection called histoplasmosis.

What Causes Granuloma

A class of bacteria known as Klebsiella granulomatis causes this infection. Granuloma inguinale is an STI, and you can contract it by having vaginal or anal intercourse with an infected partner. In rare instances, it can be contracted through oral sex.

Signs And Symptoms

Granuloma may first cause gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhea and rectal pain. Its primary symptom is the development of lesions that resemble ulcers caused by chancroid, syphilis, or herpes, but are typically larger. Lesions usually appear on the skin or mucous membranes of the genitals, anus, and groin 2 weeks to 3 months after infection.

In men, sores usually first appear on the head (glans) or shaft of the penis; in women, they appear at the entrance to the vagina or on the inner labia. The sores are not especially painful, but often spread along the warm, moist folds of skin throughout the groin to the anus, and cause discomfort. Re-infection to other parts of the body through touching or scratching is possible, but uncommon.

Untreated donovanosis can spread throughout the groin, leading to inguinal (i.e., inner thigh area) subcutaneous tissue swelling that resembles lymph node infection. Longstanding lesions can cause scarring.

Treatment For Granuloma

Early treatment is advised to prevent permanent scarring and swelling in the genital, anal, and inguinal areas.

After you have been treated, you need to have routine examinations to ensure that the infection does not come back. In some cases, it recurs after it seems to have been cured.

Granuloma inguinale can be treated using antibiotics like tetracycline and the macrolide erythromycin. Streptomycin and ampicillin may also be used. Most treatments are prescribed for three weeks, although they will continue until the infection is cured.