Granuloma inguinale (donovanosis): A historical journey through British India and beyond

Granuloma inguinale, now commonly referred to as "Donovanosis," is a chroniculcerative bacterial disease whose historical evolution reflects important developmentsin dermatology, venereology, and microbiology. Although the condition is often associated with Col. Charles Donovan and the characteristic Donovan bodies, the initial descriptions extend further back to British India and the early observations of Surgeon Major Kenneth McLeod at Calcutta Medical College. The manuscript highlights lesser-recognized historical contributions and describes the chronology of major milestones that shaped the understanding of the disease, including early reports of "serpiginous ulcer," the identification of Donovan bodies, evolving concepts regarding transmission and pathogenesis, and further microbiological advances that resulted in the reclassification of the causative organism as Klebsiella granulomatis. By integrating archival material and historical perspectives, this review emphasizes the important role played by British India in the early evolution of the condition, granuloma inguinale.