Donovanosis (granuloma inguinale) is caused by Klebsiella granulomatis. The diagnostic finding on tissue smear stained with Giemsa is:
- A Gram-negative coccobacilli in cerebrospinal fluid
- B Reed-Sternberg cells in inguinal nodes
- C Donovan bodies — intracellular organisms in large mononuclear cells resembling safety pins ✓
- D Intranuclear inclusion bodies in endothelial cells
Correct answer: C. Donovan bodies — intracellular organisms in large mononuclear cells resembling safety pins
Explanation
Donovanosis diagnosis is established by identifying Donovan bodies: Klebsiella granulomatis organisms seen as dark-staining, encapsulated bipolar coccobacilli within the cytoplasm of large mononuclear cells on a Giemsa-stained crush preparation or tissue smear. The bipolar staining gives a 'closed safety pin' appearance. The pathology specimen (tissue smear or biopsy) shows vacuolated macrophages packed with these organisms. Treatment is azithromycin 1 g weekly or doxycycline 100 mg BD for at least 3 weeks until healing.
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.