Lymphogranuloma venereum: an emerging cause of proctitis in men who have sex with men

Abstract

Before 2003, lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) was rare in developed nations. Several large clusters of LGV in men who have sex with men have been reported across Europe and in the United States of America (USA) since 2003. LGV is caused by L1, L2 and L3 serovars of Chlamydia trachomatis and is a sexually transmitted infection. LGV causes genital ulcers, infected inguinal lymph nodes (buboes) and proctitis/proctocolitis. Treatment with a three-week course of doxycycline prevents rectal strictures, bowel obstruction, bowel perforation and possibly death. Clinicians seeing men who have sex with men with inguinal lymphadenopathy and bowel symptoms should be aware of this current epidemic.