SURVEILLANCE OF DONOVANOSIS IN THE NORTHERN-TERRITORY

The aims of the study were to better determine the incidence of donova nosis and to survey current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in t he Northern Territory (NT) of Australia. Notification data on donovano sis were reviewed and compared with data collected through a questionn aire sent to practitioners dealing with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) across the NT. Information concerning numbers of patients treat ed, means of diagnosis and treatment regimens was sought. The results found notification data revealed 36 incident cases of donovanosis in 1 993, the majority coming from the Top End regions. The survey identifi ed a total of 115 treated cases of donovanosis during that same period . Histological confirmation was sought in 36 of the 119 cases. Doxycyc line was the most commonly prescribed therapeutic agent followed by er ythromycin. Poor compliance with therapy was cited as the major barrie r to effective treatment. Donovanosis is grossly under-reported in the NT. A case-definition based on clinical as well as histological crite ria will improve surveillance. Standard treatment guidelines throughou t the NT are required and improving compliance with therapy is a major priority for control of the disease.