Granuloma inguinale is a very rare infection in temperate climates like ours, but is more common in tropical and subtropical areas. It is caused by the Klebsiella granulomatis bacterium. It manifests initially as painless, red-colored nodular lesions that turn into rounded, raised, bad-smelling, bleeding ulcers with a velvet-like texture. In men, the infection is located on the penis, scrotum, groin and thighs. In women, it nests in the vulva, vagina and perineum. In homosexual males, it is in the anus and in the buttocks area. There is no enlargement of the lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy). Diagnosis is made by analyzing a small sample of material taken from the lesion. Therapy involves the use of antibiotics.
