infectious diseases
Granuloma Inguinale
Diagnosis of Granuloma Inguinale
Microscopic examination showing Donovan bodies in fluid from a lesion Granuloma inguinale is suspected in patients from endemic areas with characteristic lesions. Diagnosis of granuloma inguinale is confirmed microscopically by the presence of Donovan bodies (numerous bacilli in the cytoplasm of macrophages shown by Giemsa or Wright stain) in smears of fluid from scrapings from the edge of lesions. These smears contain many plasma cells. Biopsy specimens are taken if the diagnosis is unclear or if adequate tissue fluid cannot be obtained because lesions are dry, sclerotic, or necrotic. The bacteria do not grow on ordinary culture media. 