Two infants, 6 months and 4 months of age, presented with bilateral or unilateral external auditory canal
polyps and otorrhea, respectively. Additional findings on examination included
otitis media and
mastoiditis.
Tympanic membrane perforation was noted in one patient and a postauricular
abscess in the other. Incisional biopsies of the
polyps and
abscess were reported as nonspecific mixed
inflammation and
abscess wall, respectively. There was a limited response to an empirical 5-day course of
trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole. The children were referred to the academic hospital, and excision of the
polyps and biopsies of the middle ear, mastoid, and postauricular
abscess was undertaken. All the biopsies demonstrated
donovanosis. Reappraisal of the initial incisional biopsies also confirmed
donovanosis.
Trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole was administered to both patients for 3 weeks, with resolution of the lesions. Subsequent investigations confirmed genital tract
donovanosis, human immunodeficiency virus seropositivity,
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, and
pulmonary tuberculosis in both mothers. Heightened awareness of the occurrence of
donovanosis at unusual sites and improved recognition of the histomorphological features of the disease, especially in small and superficial biopsies, are pivotal not only for its correct diagnosis in extragenital cutaneous and extracutaneous locations but also for timely and adequate
therapy and an improved infant and maternal outcome.