Donovanosis

Abstract

Donovanosis usually causes genital ulcers with a distinct clinical appearance. The condition has been a problem in many developing countries, but recent years have seen a significant global decline in prevalence. It is well on the way to being eradicated. Donovanosis has been known under many different terminologies, and there is still debate about how the causative organism should be classified. Recent news agency and social media reports of an increase in the "flesh-eating infection donovanosis" have been false and unhelpful, only leading to hyperbole and increased stigma among those infected. Donovanosis is a progressive, mildly infectious bacterial infection usually involving the genital area. The causative organism is a gram-negative bacillus, Calymmatobacterium granulomatis. A proposal that the organism be reclassified as Klebsiella granulomatis comb nov was put forward in 1999; however, a consensus is yet to be reached about the definitive nomenclature of the causative agent.¹.