Sexually transmitted infections: donovanosis: practice question

A Dermatology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dermatology · Sexually transmitted infections: donovanosis

Sample item

A man has a painless, beefy-red, easily bleeding genital ulcer that slowly enlarges, with no inguinal lymphadenopathy. A smear stained with Giemsa shows intracellular encapsulated bodies in macrophages. What is the organism and treatment?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Klebsiella granulomatis, treated with azithromycin

Donovanosis (granuloma inguinale) is caused by Klebsiella granulomatis and causes a painless, progressive, highly vascular ulcer without marked lymphadenopathy. Donovan bodies are seen in macrophages on smears. Azithromycin for at least 3 weeks, or until healing, is the standard treatment, with alternatives such as doxycycline.

Option by option

  • A. Klebsiella granulomatis, treated with azithromycin (correct)

    Correct. Donovan bodies and a painless beefy ulcer indicate this organism.

  • B. Haemophilus ducreyi, treated with ceftriaxone

    Chancroid causes a painful ulcer with a suppurative bubo.

  • C. Herpes simplex virus, treated with acyclovir

    Herpes causes painful grouped vesicles and shallow ulcers.

  • D. Treponema pallidum, treated with benzathine penicillin

    Syphilis causes a painless indurated chancre with regional nodes and spirochaetes on dark-field microscopy.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is A, Klebsiella granulomatis, treated with azithromycin. Donovanosis (granuloma inguinale) is caused by Klebsiella granulomatis and causes a painless, progressive, highly vascular ulcer without marked lymphadenopathy.

Why is "Haemophilus ducreyi, treated with ceftriaxone" not the answer?

Chancroid causes a painful ulcer with a suppurative bubo.

Why is "Herpes simplex virus, treated with acyclovir" not the answer?

Herpes causes painful grouped vesicles and shallow ulcers.

Why is "Treponema pallidum, treated with benzathine penicillin" not the answer?

Syphilis causes a painless indurated chancre with regional nodes and spirochaetes on dark-field microscopy.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Sexually transmitted infections: donovanosis in Dermatology. Donovan bodies are seen in macrophages on smears. Azithromycin for at least 3 weeks, or until healing, is the standard treatment, with alternatives such as doxycycline.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Sexually transmitted infections: donovanosis?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.