What is it?
This is an infection of the external genitalia, the skin at the top of the legs and the anal region. It is caused by the bacterium Calymmobacterium granulomatis (Donovania granulomatis). It is an extremely rare STD in Canada.
How do you get it?
It is spread by skin-to-skin contact, which can often be sexual.
What are the symptoms?
It appears as bumps that acquire a red beefy look and spread to cover areas of skin (sometimes as big as the back of the hand or bigger).
What is the test like?
Diagnosis is made by taking a small piece of tissue and examining it for Donovan bodies. The time period from when the bacterium gets on the skin until it produces symptoms is about 1-16 weeks.
What is the treatment?
It is treated with antibiotics. Sex partners of patients who have granuloma inguinale should be treated if they:
a) had sex with an infected person in the 60 days previous to the development of the lesions; and
b) have clinical signs and symptoms of the disease.
How common is it?
It is extremely rare in this country and is more common in tropical and subtropical countries. | 
