Definition:
Lymphogranuloma venereum (or LGV) is a sexually transmitted disease primarily affecting the lymphatics and caused by certain invasive strains of Chlamydia trachomatis. This disease is also known by many other names, including: climatic bubo, tropical bubo, strumous bubo, poradenitis inguinales, lymphopathia venerea, Durand-Nicolas-Favre disease, and lymphogranuloma inguinale.
Diagnosis:
Lymphogranuloma venereum may be diagnosed based on the patient's medical history, along with physical examination that indicates recent sexual contact with an infected person, signs of ulcer on the genitals, and other clinical manifestations. Other diagnostic steps may include a biopsy of the infected node, serology test for LGV, and indirect immunofluorescence for Chlamydia.
Treatment:
Lymphogranuloma venereum can be completely treated with appropriate antibiotic therapies, such as erythromycin, doxycycline, and tetracycline.
Symptoms and Signs:
Specific symptoms of lymphogranuloma venereum vary according to stage of progression as well as the site of entry of the infectious organism (or sex contact site). In general, lymphogranuloma venereum presents with: small painless ulcer on the genitalia or contact site; swelling and redness of skin in the groin area; enlarged lymph nodes on one or both sides of the groin; drainage of lymph nodes into the groin; blood or pus excreted from the rectum; and pain during bowel movement.
Causes:
Lymphogranuloma venereum is an infection caused by three aggressive serovars or subtypes of Chlamydia trachomatis, a bacterium that is transmitted to humans through sexual contact.
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