Lymphogranuloma Venereum

Excerpt

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is an ulcerative disease of the genital area. Its cause is the gram-negative bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis, especially serovars L1, L2, and L3. It is an uncommon, sexually transmitted infection. It is transmittable by vaginal, oral or anal sex. There are increasing numbers of reports in men who have sex with men.

Characteristically, lymphogranuloma venereum has three stages of infection :

1. Primary stage characterized by the development of painless genital ulcer or papules.

2. Secondary stage with the development of unilateral or bilateral tender inguinal and/or femoral lymphadenopathy (also called buboes).

3. Late stage with strictures, fibrosis, and fistulae of the anogenital area.