Granuloma Inguinale and Genital Ulcer Differentials

Flashcards covering the etiology, clinical presentation, and diagnostic methods for various genital ulcer diseases focusing on granuloma inguinale and its differentials.

Granuloma inguinale (donovanosis)

A sexually transmitted infection caused by Klebsiella granulomatis, prevalent in India, South Africa, and South America, characterized by one or more painless genital nodules that ulcerate with raised, rolled margins.

Klebsiella granulomatis

The causative organism of granuloma inguinale; it is a bacterium that stains dark purple and may exhibit a "safety pin" appearance on Wright staining.

Donovan bodies

Diagnostic findings for granuloma inguinale visible on Wright staining as numerous bacilli, sometimes within cysts, inside the cytoplasm of macrophages and monocytes.

Pseudobubo

A clinical finding in granuloma inguinale where subcutaneous extension into the inguinal area mimics inguinal lymphadenopathy, despite minimal or no actual adenopathy.

Treponema pallidum

The spirochete responsible for syphilis, which causes a painless primary chancre and requires dark-field microscopy or direct immunofluorescent staining for diagnosis.

Haemophilus ducreyi

The causative agent of chancroid, presenting as a painful genital ulcer with an erythematous base, clearly demarcated borders, and a grayish-yellow purulent exudate.

Lymphogranuloma venereum

An infection caused by serovars $L1-L3$ of Chlamydia trachomatis, characterized by painless shallow ulcers followed by tender unilateral or bilateral inguinal and/or femoral lymphadenopathy.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV)

A viral infection characterized by grouped tender vesicles that rupture into painful ulcerations; diagnosis is typically confirmed via PCR.

Wright staining

The laboratory stain used on a swab or biopsy specimen to identify Donovan bodies in a patient suspected of having granuloma inguinale.

Painless Genital Ulcer Causes

The group of infections presenting with painless lesions, including primary syphilis (Treponema pallidum), lymphogranuloma venereum (Chlamydia trachomatis), and granuloma inguinale (Klebsiella granulomatis).

Painful Genital Ulcer Causes

The group of infections presenting with painful lesions, specifically herpes simplex virus and chancroid (Haemophilus ducreyi).