Donovanosis

Question 1

Which organism causes donovanosis?

Answer 1

Klebsiella granulomatis
(bacterium)

Question 2

Is donovanosis nationally notifiable?

Answer 2

Yes - routine, labs and doctors

Question 3

By what other name is donovanosis known by?

Answer 3

Granuloma inguinale

Question 4

How is donovanosis transmitted?

Answer 4

Sexual.
Occasional non-sexual contact, vertical transmission

Question 5

What are the clinical features of donovanosis?

Answer 5

Chronic, progressively destructive infection of skin/mucous membranes of external genitalia, inguinal and anal regions.

Begins as subcutaneous nodule(s) then erode into ulcerogranulomatous lesions.

Question 6

Which disease does donovanosis increase the risk of?

Answer 6

HIV

Question 7

What are complications of donovanosis?

Answer 7

Lymphatic destruction, neoplastic transformation.

Question 8

Which groups are at high risk of donovanosis?

Answer 8

• Indigenous people in remote / marginalised communities.
• Sexual partners of people from countries with high rates of disease

Question 9

What are case definitions of donovanosis?

Answer 9

Confirmed: lab and clinical
Probable: clinical and epi

Question 10

How is donovanosis diagnosed?

Answer 10

Histopathological examination of tissue biopsies (intracellular “Donovan bodies”)

PCR available in very selected labs (not every state)

Question 11

What is the incubation period for Donovanosis?

Answer 11

Weeks to months

Question 12

What is the infectious period?

Answer 12

Unknown, may be months to years

Question 13

How common is donovanosis in developed countries?

Answer 13

Rare

Question 14

Where is donovanosis endemic?

Answer 14

Some tropical and subtropical countries and areas, including PNG, areas of Central America, southern Africa and southern India

Question 15

Where do cases occur in Australia?

Answer 15

Mainly remote areas of Norther Australia.

Question 16

How many cases of donovanosis have occurred between 2014-2024?

Answer 16

1

Question 17

How is donovanosis prevented?

Answer 17

Safe sex
Early diagnosis and treatment

Question 18

What resources are available for PH management of donovanosis?

Answer 18

DH protocol
Australian STI management guidelines

Question 19

How are cases of donovanosis managed?

Answer 19

T - clinician - doxy/azithro; referral to specialist service
I - no sexual contact until 7 days after treatment completion; no sex with partners from the last 6mo until tested/treated
E - transmission, prevention

Question 20

How are contacts of donovanosis managed?

Answer 20

• Contact tracing - last 6mo
• T - test and treat (if necessary)
• I - NA
• M - close f/u of infants born to mothers with donovanosis at time of delivery
• E - transmission and preventive measures