title: Genital elephantiasis due to donovanosis: forgotten but not gone yet ...
abstract: Genital elephantiasis is a disease that is characterized by massive enlargement of the genitalia. Early aetiological diagnosis is of paramount importance so that development of genital elephantiasis can be prevented; otherwise it is not completely reversible with medical therapy and often requires surgical intervention. Chronic mental distress and disability can result as it interferes with daily/routine activities of the affected individual. Over time, the infectious causes of genital elephantiasis have evolved, from syphilis in the pre-penicillin era to donovanosis, lymphogranuloma venereum and recently filariasis, tuberculosis, leishmaniasis, HIV and chromoblastomycosis. With a declining prevalence globally, donovanosis is at risk of being forgotten as a cause of genital swelling; however, it is known to persist for years without treatment and can lead to complications such as lymphoedema and genital mutilation. We herein present a case of genital elephantiasis that was eventually diagnosed as being due to donovanosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India. narangtarun@yahoo.co.in
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Narang
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kanwar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004604:Elephantiasis / Q000473:pathology*; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000473:pathology*; D006100:Granuloma Inguinale / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy