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Euro Surveill 2019 Jan;24(5)

Santé publique France (the French national public health agency), Saint-Maurice, France.

Diagnoses of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STI) have been increasing in France since their resurgence in the late 1990s. This article presents recent epidemiological trends until 2016 and the patients' characteristics. STI surveillance relies on sentinel networks: a clinician-based network RésIST (clinical, biological and behavioural data for early syphilis and gonorrhoea), the lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) network (clinical, biological and behavioural data for rectal LGV, and the laboratory networks Rénachla and Rénago (demographic and biological data for chlamydial infections and gonorrhoea, respectively). Read More

Int J STD AIDS 2019 Feb 4:956462418821579. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

3 RPA Sexual Health, Sydney Local Health District, Camperdown, Australia.

An epidemic of lymphogranuloma venereum among men who have sex with men (MSM) has persisted in Australia for over a decade and virtually all diagnoses are made from rectal samples. We discuss two cases of human immunodeficiency virus-negative MSM who presented with a penile ulcer. The diagnosis can be made by ensuring a swab of any such ulcer is tested for Chlamydia trachomatis. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2018 Dec 20;18(1):689. Epub 2018 Dec 20.

Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium.

Background: The number of cases of Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is increasing in Europe. The described epidemic is mostly confined to HIV positive men who have sex with men (MSM). However, dissemination of LGV from HIV positive to HIV negative MSM could take place due to the implementation of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and subsequent possible decrease in condom use. Read More

Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018 30;8:415. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States.

is an obligate intracellular pathogen with global health and economic impact. Upon infection, resides within a protective niche, the inclusion, wherein it replicates and usurps host cell machinery and resources. The inclusion membrane is the key host-pathogen interface that governs specific protein-protein interactions to manipulate host signaling pathways. Read More

Sex Transm Infect 2018 Dec 15. Epub 2018 Dec 15.

Dermatology Department, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

Oropharyngeal lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is an uncommon presentation and mainly consists of either asymptomatic infections or enlarged cervical lymphadenopathy. According to cross-sectional studies, the prevalence of pharyngeal LGV among men who have sex with men (MSM) seems to be very low. Tissue tropism could explain the difference between rectal and oral mucosa infection frequencies. Read More

Curr Opin Infect Dis 2019 Feb;32(1):43-50

Department of Infectious Diseases, STI Outpatient Clinic, Public Health Service of Amsterdam.

Purpose Of Review: Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a serious sexually transmitted infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. If left untreated LGV can cause irreversible late sequelae. LGV is endemic among a high-risk population of men who have sex with men (MSM), and largely reported in Western metropoles. Read More

Euro Surveill 2018 Oct;23(43)

Genitourinary Clinic, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta.

From 1 January to 30 June 2018, 11 cases of Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV; all preserved samples (n = 4) genovar L2b) were identified at the Genitourinary Clinic (GUC), Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta. All cases were diagnosed in men who have sex with men (MSM); six participated in three group-sex parties. Here, we describe the outbreak and risk factors associated with LGV diagnoses in MSM in Malta in 2018. Read More

Hautarzt 2018 Nov;69(11):945-959

Department of Dermatology, Preah Kossamak-Hospital, BP 1006, Phnom Penh, Kambodscha.

Sexually transmitted infections (STI) are common all over the world and the incidence of chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and trichomoniasis alone is estimated at 500 million/year. Of these infections 75% occur in tropical countries in Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa and South as well as Southeast Asia. The bacterial infections chancroid, lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) and granuloma inguinale (GI, Donovanosis) are termed tropical STI. Read More

J Med Microbiol 2018 Oct 10. Epub 2018 Oct 10.

3​Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Australia.

Purpose: Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for trachoma-associated blindness as well as the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection worldwide, although the genovars for the former are typically A-C, whilst for the latter they are D-K and for the uncommon infection lymphogranuloma venereum they are L1-3. Nucleotide variations within the ompA gene facilitate the identification of C. trachomatis genovars. Read More

Sex Transm Dis 2019 Feb;46(2):e14-e17

Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY.

Using Chlamydia trachomatis anorectal specimens routinely tested for lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) (2008-2011) and samples of archived specimens tested for LGV (2012-2015), we observed increased LGV positivity among men who have sex with men attending NYC Sexual Health Clinics. Using clinical data, we determined predictors of anorectal LGV that may guide clinical management. Read More

Rev Esp Enferm Dig 2018 Oct;110(10):676-677

Hospital do Salnés.

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LV) is a sexually transmitted disease that may have atypical clinical manifestations mimicking tumors or inflammatory conditions, which renders its diagnosis difficult. LV requires both a clinical and endoscopic diagnosis before early treatment may be administered, and should be included as a differential diagnosis for individuals with risk factors. Read More

Med Clin (Barc) 2018 Nov 27;151(10):412-417. Epub 2018 Aug 27.

Unidad de Vigilancia del VIH/Sida y Comportamientos de Riesgo, Centro Nacional de Epidemiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, España.

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) was an unusual disease in Europe until 2003, when several outbreaks among men who have sex with men (MSM) emerged. Since 2015, LGV has been included notifiable disease in Spain. Our aim is to review LGV cases published in Spain from 2005 to 2015. Read More

Int J Infect Dis 2018 Oct 17;75:34-38. Epub 2018 Aug 17.

Infectious Disease Unit, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel; Sackler Medical School, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Objective: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), mainly lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), induce colorectal symptoms that may be misdiagnosed as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study describes patients who presented with STDs masquerading as IBD in order to improve understanding of missed diagnosis of colorectal STDs and their association with LGV in Israel.

Methods: This retrospective, descriptive study characterized the clinical, endoscopic, and pathological findings of 16 patients who were diagnosed with a colorectal STD after erroneously being diagnosed with IBD. Read More

Int J STD AIDS 2018 Aug 16:956462418789333. Epub 2018 Aug 16.

1 HIV&STI Department, Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control, Public Health England, London, UK.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) attending sexual health (SH) clinics are at high risk for HIV acquisition and are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We collected standardised behavioural data from MSM attending clinics to characterise sexual behaviours and identify predictors for HIV and STIs. In 2012-2013, HIV-negative MSM attending five SH clinics in England reported sexual behaviours in the previous three months via a self-administered questionnaire. Read More

JAAD Case Rep 2018 Aug 14;4(7):619-621. Epub 2018 Jul 14.

The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.

Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018 Aug 3. Epub 2018 Aug 3.

Gastroenterology Department, Amiens University Hospital, Amiens, France.

Int J STD AIDS 2018 Oct 4;29(12):1215-1224. Epub 2018 Jul 4.

4 Santé Publique France (the French National Public Health Agency), Saint-Maurice, France.

The objective of this article is to describe the epidemiology of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) and non-LGV Chlamydia trachomatis anorectal infections in France and to examine the characteristics of the affected populations via a voluntary sentinel surveillance system for LGV between 2010 and 2015. Anorectal samples positive for C. trachomatis (CT) were sent by the participating laboratories to the National Reference Center for CT for LGV identification. Read More

IDCases 2018 27;12:80-83. Epub 2018 Mar 27.

Division of Infectious Disease, Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, USA.

We report the occurrence of two severe illnesses experienced by one patient over a 19 year period of time. Both illnesses were characterized by severe inflammation and tissue destruction. Signs and symptoms of the first illness were characteristic of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV). Read More

Medicina (B Aires) 2018;78(3):207-210

Cátedra de Microbiología Clínica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.

From 2003 to date there has been a rising number of reports from developed countries on cases of lymphogranuloma venereum with anorectal localization in HIV-infected men who have sex with men. This localization differs from the classical inguinal abscesses which are typical of the disease in the tropics. The objective of this work is to document the presence of anorectal lymphogranuloma venereum in Buenos Aires and to describe its varied clinical manifestations. Read More

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018 06 11;115(26):E6000-E6009. Epub 2018 Jun 11.

Laboratorio de Inmunopatología, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, C1428ADN Buenos Aires, Argentina;

() constitutes the most prevalent sexually transmitted bacterium worldwide. Chlamydial infections can lead to severe clinical sequelae including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and tubal infertility. As an obligate intracellular pathogen, has evolved multiple strategies to promote adhesion and invasion of host cells, including those involving both bacterial and host glycans. Read More

Ugeskr Laeger 2018 May;180(20)

This is a case report of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) manifesting as haemorrhagic proctocolitis in a homosexual HIV-positive male. The primary symptom was a rectal abscess, which was initially surgically treated and subsequently insufficiently treated with single-dose tablet azithromycin. The patient's symptoms were successfully treated after a 21-day doxycycline regime. Read More

Can Commun Dis Rep 2018 Feb 1;44(2):55-61. Epub 2018 Feb 1.

Département de microbiologie, infectiologie et immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC.

Background: Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by genotypes L, L and L. This LGV is associated with significant morbidity and increased risk of HIV transmission. While fewer than two cases per year were reported in Quebec before 2005, LGV emerged in 2005-2006 with 69 cases, followed by a period of low incidence (2007-2012), and subsequent re-emergence since 2013. Read More

Int J STD AIDS 2018 Nov 11;29(11):1133-1135. Epub 2018 May 11.

GU Department, Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham, UK.

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is caused by L1, L2 and L3 serovars of Chlamydia trachomatis. The anorectal syndrome caused by LGV is often misdiagnosed as inflammatory bowel disease and may rarely lead to stricture formation. Recurrent stricture formation, despite adequate LGV treatment, has not to our knowledge, previously been reported. Read More

Rev Esp Enferm Dig 2018 Jun;110(6):410

Radiodiagnóstico, Hospital General Universitario, Ciudad Real.

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a condition caused by invasive serovars of Chlamydia trachomatis. The classical inguinal presentation that is characterized by the development of transient genital ulcer(s) and inguinal or femoral lymphadenopathy has decreased in our environment. At present, infection by this bacterium has emerged as an important cause of proctitis and proctocolitis in men who have sex with other men. Read More

Med Clin (Barc) 2019 Feb 19;152(3):98-101. Epub 2018 Apr 19.

Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, España. Electronic address:

Introduction And Objective: Sexually transmitted infections of the rectum and anus (STI-RA) mainly affect men who have sex with men (MSM). The incidence of STI-RA among them has increased in recent years.

Material And Methods: Retrospective study in patients with diagnoses of STI-RA in an STI unit during the years 2014 and 2015. Read More

Przegl Epidemiol 2018 ;72(1):45-51

WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other STIs, National Reference Laboratory for STIs, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Ӧrebro University, Ӧrebro,Sweden

We describe the first case of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) in Poland, with inguino-femoral lymphadenopathy, diagnosed and successfully treated according to the 2013 European LGV guideline. Chlamydia trachomatis genovar L2b, mainly responsible for the ongoing LGV epidemics among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Western European countries, was confirmed. The case also verified that co-infections with other sexually transmitted infections (syphilis and hepatitis C virus) are frequent in MSM LGV patients, as well as the very large difficulties with contact tracing for these patients. Read More

Sex Transm Dis 2018 Jun;45(6):409-411

From the University of Washington Center for AIDS and STD, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA.

PLoS One 2018 4;13(4):e0194125. Epub 2018 Apr 4.

Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.

Background: In South Africa, treatment of genital ulcer disease (GUD) occurs in the context of syndromic management. GUD aetiological studies have been conducted in Johannesburg since 2007. We report on GUD pathogen prevalence, sero-prevalence of STI co-infections and aetiological trends among GUD patients presenting to a community-based primary healthcare facility in Johannesburg over a 9-year period. Read More

Acta Gastroenterol Belg 2017 Jul-Sep;80(3):385-387

Institute of Tropical Medicine, Clinical Sciences.

Objective of this study was to describe the patient characteristics and clinical presentation of laboratory confirmed lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) cases, diagnosed at the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM), Antwerp, Belgium. Demographic and biomedical characteristics of all patients with chlamydia-positive sample results were retrieved for the years 2013 and 2014. Samples were obtained from both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients who consulted at the HIV/STI clinic. Read More

CMAJ 2018 Mar;190(11):E331-E333

Immunodeficiency Clinic, Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, Ont.

Emerg Infect Dis 2018 04;24(4):806-808

We report an HIV-infected person who was treated for lymphogranuloma venereum cervical lymphadenopathy and proctitis in Croatia in 2014. Infection with a variant L2b genovar of Chlamydia trachomatis was detected in a cervical lymph node aspirate. A prolonged course of doxycycline was required to cure the infection. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Mar 15;2018. Epub 2018 Mar 15.

Epsom and Saint Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, Carshalton, UK.

A 48-year-old man presented as an emergency with a 3-week history of rectal bleeding. Examination of his rectum revealed a circumferential tumour, 2 cm from the anal verge. An MRI scan reported a locally infiltrative mid-lower rectal tumour staged as T3d/T4 N2 MX. Read More

Ugeskr Laeger 2018 Mar;180(11)

This is a case report of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) manifesting as haemorrhagic proctocolitis in a homosexual HIV-positive male. The primary symptom was a rectal abscess, which was initially surgically treated and subsequently insufficiently treated with single-dose tablet azithromycin. The patient's symptoms were successfully treated after a 21-day doxycycline regime. Read More

Sex Transm Dis 2018 Jun;45(6):406-408

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom.

Background: Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) has reestablished itself as an endemic sexually transmitted infection in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe and North America over the last decade. Current guidelines suggest treatment with 21 days of doxycycline; however, the evidence base for LGV treatment including its duration is very limited.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review in 2 central London genitourinary medicine clinics of men who have sex with men (MSM) with LGV in whom less than 21 days of doxycycline was used initially. Read More

MBio 2018 01 30;9(1). Epub 2018 Jan 30.

National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

is an obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen that causes blinding trachoma and sexually transmitted disease. isolates are classified into 2 biovars-lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) and trachoma-which are distinguished biologically by their natural host cell infection tropism. LGV biovars infect macrophages and are invasive, whereas trachoma biovars infect oculo-urogenital epithelial cells and are noninvasive. Read More

Sex Transm Infect 2018 12 29;94(8):578-581. Epub 2018 Jan 29.

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Objectives: Recent outbreaks of anorectal lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) among men who have sex with men (MSM) have been characterised by proctocolitis requiring extended antibiotic treatment compared with infections caused by other serovars of (CT). We describe the prevalence and clinical features of LGV among Nigerian MSM diagnosed with anorectal CT.

Methods: MSM were recruited for this observational cohort in Lagos, Nigeria, using respondent-driven sampling and screened for HIV and bacterial STIs every three months for up to 18 months. Read More

Int J STD AIDS 2018 07 19;29(8):828-830. Epub 2018 Jan 19.

1 Clinique médicale l'Actuel, Montréal, Canada.

Since 2003, there has been a resurgence of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), a variant of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), among men who have sex with men (MSM) in several urban areas of Europe and North America. LGV infection occurs most often at anal sites causing proctitis. Urethral and oropharyngeal infections are rare. Read More

Sex Transm Dis 2018 01;45(1):61-68

From the *Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care; †Department of Community Medicine, University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe; ‡US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Zimbabwe and Division of Global HIV/AIDS, CDC, Atlanta, GA; §Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; ¶Zimbabwe Community Health Intervention Research (ZiCHIRe) Project, Harare, Zimbabwe; ∥Western Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Parramatta; **Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity & Sydney Medical School-Westmead, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; ††School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; ‡‡Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO; §§Rietmeijer Consulting LLC, Denver, CO.

Background: In many countries, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are treated syndromically. Thus, patients diagnosed as having genital ulcer disease (GUD) in Zimbabwe receive a combination of antimicrobials to treat syphilis, chancroid, lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), and genital herpes. Periodic studies are necessary to assess the current etiology of GUD and assure the appropriateness of current treatment guidelines. Read More

Front Microbiol 2017 13;8:2195. Epub 2017 Nov 13.

UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, CA, United States.

() is the leading cause of bacterial sexually transmitted diseases worldwide. The Multi Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) scheme is effective in differentiating strain types (ST), deciphering transmission patterns and treatment failure, and identifying recombinant strains. Here, we analyzed 323 reference and clinical samples, including 58 samples from Russia, an area that has not previously been represented in typing schemes, to expand our knowledge of the global diversification of STs. Read More

Sex Transm Infect 2017 12;93(8):589

Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Rev Med Interne 2017 Dec 8;38(12):794-799. Epub 2017 Nov 8.

Service de médecine interne, hôpital Ambroise-Paré, AP-HP, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France. Electronic address:

Introduction: Lymphogranuloma venereum (LG) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by Chlamydia trachomatis L serovar.

Methods: These five consecutive cases aim to highlight the risk of LG misdiagnosis, in case of initial presentation with isolated inguinal adenitis.

Results: Five men (mean age: 30±7 years) were seen in an internal medicine department, for inguinal adenopathy. Read More

Emerg Infect Dis 2017 11;23(11):1913-1915

We detected Chlamydia trachomatis biovar L2 in vaginal swab specimens of 7 women with vaginal discharge in South Africa. Whole-genome sequencing directly from clinical specimens identified a closely related cluster of strains. The clinical role of this infection in the context of syndromic management should be clarified. Read More

J Med Microbiol 2017 Nov 12;66(11):1684-1687. Epub 2017 Oct 12.

1​Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Clinical Bacteriology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.

This study aimed to determine the incidence of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) in Sweden since 2004 and to study in detail a consecutive number of Chlamydia trachomatis cases in men who have sex with men (MSM) during a 10 month period (September 2014 to July 2015). LGV increased from sporadic import cases in 2004 to comprise a spread within Sweden in 2016. Initially, only the L2b ompA genotype was detected, but in 2015 half of the genotyped LGV cases were L2 genotype. Read More

Lancet HIV 2017 11 14;4(11):e522-e528. Epub 2017 Sep 14.

Department of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute (AI&II), Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands; Department of Global Health and Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate is highly effective against acquisition of HIV infection, and only two cases of infection with a multidrug-resistant virus have been reported under adequate long-term adherence, as evidenced by tenofovir diphosphate concentrations in dried blood spots. We report a case of wild-type HIV-1 infection despite consistent use of emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate.

Methods: The patient participated in the Amsterdam PrEP project, a demonstration project of daily and event-driven PrEP. Read More

BMC Womens Health 2017 Sep 15;17(1):83. Epub 2017 Sep 15.

Servicio de Gastroenterología, Hospital Universitario Dr. Jose Eleuterio Gonzalez, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Av. Gonzalitos and Madero, Mitras Centro PC, 64460, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico.

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis is the causative agent of the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and genotypes of C. trachomatis in patients attending an obstetrics and gynecology clinic in Jalisco, Mexico and correlates them with sociodemographic, behavioral, and biological factors. Read More