A sexually transmitted infection Extremely rare (STI) has been diagnosed in a young British woman, aged 15 to 25, in Southport, England. This disease, called donovanosis, is caused by the bacteria Klebsiella granulomatis. According to SA Health, the public health system in South Australia, the latter causes small painless sores (ulcers) on the genitals, groin and anal area. The ulcers grow larger and form red bumps that bleed easily and usually have a foul odor. Untreated, patients can suffer irreversible genital lesions, scars and discoloration around the intimate area. Donovanosis is also a risk factor for HIV transmission.
This woman’s case was discovered when an English online pharmacy, under a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, wanted to know how many STI diagnoses there were in the past 12 months, the age of those diagnosed, gender and location in the country. According to Daily Mail, it is difficult to know how the woman got infected or if she had any complications.
A bacterium present in tropical regions
The peculiarity of this case lies in its location. Indeed, this disease is practically non-existent in the United Kingdom. According to National Institutes of Health (NIH), about 100 cases are reported per year in the United States and mainly in people returning from areas where the disease is common (India, Papua New Guinea, the Caribbean, Guyana, central Australia and southern Africa). Cases occurring in the United Kingdom or the United States are therefore usually due to unprotected sex(genital, anal and more rarely oral) in places where there is Klebsiella granulomatis. Symptoms can appear between one and 12 weeks after exposure to the bacteria. Donovanosis is treated with antibiotics, which should usually be taken for several weeks, and as soon as possible to avoid complications.
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