Dermatology · Sexually Transmitted Diseases (Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Genital Ulcers)

Donovanosis (granuloma inguinale) is characterized histologically by which pathognomonic finding?

  • A Multinucleate giant cells with ingested spirochetes
  • B Intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies (elementary bodies) in endothelial cells
  • C Caseous granulomas with Langhans cells and satellite lymphadenitis
  • D Large mononuclear macrophages containing Donovan bodies (bipolar-staining rod-shaped organisms within vacuoles)
Correct answer: D. Large mononuclear macrophages containing Donovan bodies (bipolar-staining rod-shaped organisms within vacuoles)

Explanation

Donovanosis (caused by Klebsiella granulomatis, formerly Calymmatobacterium granulomatis) shows Donovan bodies — intracytoplasmic, bipolar-staining (safety pin appearance), encapsulated organisms within the vacuoles of large mononuclear histiocytes (Mikulicz cells). Diagnosis is made from tissue crush smear or biopsy stained with Giemsa or Wright stain. Treatment is azithromycin 1 g weekly or doxycycline 100 mg BD for at least 3 weeks until all lesions heal.

Reference: Neena Khanna Illustrated Synopsis of Dermatology & STD, 6th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.

Sponsored

Want to test yourself?

Create a free account for timed mock tests, mistake tracking, and FSRS spaced-repetition revision across 23,000+ MCQs.

Start free → Log in

More Sexually Transmitted Diseases (Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Genital Ulcers) MCQs

See all Sexually Transmitted Diseases (Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Genital Ulcers) MCQs →