GRANULOMA INGUINALE

mildly contagious venereal disease occurring predominantly in tropical areas and more frequently affecting dark-skinned people, characterized by deep, purulent ulcers on or near the genital organs. Encapsulated bacilli called Donovan bodies (Donovania granulomatis, or Calymmatobacterium granulomatis, family Brucellaceae) occur in smears from the lesions or in biopsy material and are thought to be the cause of the disease. Granuloma inguinale has been treated with streptomycin or with broad-spectrum antibiotics, usually with success.