Last Updated on July 29, 2021 by Debra Rose Wilson, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT
How do you get LGV/How can you get LGV? Lymphogranuloma Venereum Causes:
LGV (Lymphogranuloma venereum) is a is a chronic (long-term) sexually transmitted infection of the lymphatic system caused by three strains of the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. The infection is not caused by the same bacteria that cause genital chlamydia.
Lymphogranuloma venereum is passed from person to person through direct contact with lesions, ulcers or other area where the bacteria is located. Transmission of the organism occurs during sexual penetration (vaginal, oral, or anal) and may also occur via skin to skin contact.
The likelihood of LGV infection following an exposure is unknown, but it is considered less infectious than some other STI/STDs.
Lymphogranuloma venereum is more common in people with penises.
How to tell if you have LGV? Lymphogranuloma Venereum Symptoms:
Symptoms of LGV can begin a few days to a month after coming in contact with the bacteria. Symptoms include:
- Blood or pus from the rectum (blood in the stools)
- Drainage through the skin from lymph nodes in the groin
- Painful bowel movements
- Small painless sore on the genitals or in the genital tract
- Swelling and redness of the skin in the groin area
- Swelling of the labia
- Swollen groin lymph nodes on one or both sides; it may also affect lymph nodes around the rectum in people who have anal intercourse
The infection can also cause diarrhea and lower abdominal pain.
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How to know if you have LGV? Lymphogranuloma Venereum Tests:
Because of limitations in a commercially available test, diagnosis is primarily based on clinical findings.
Direct identification of the bacteria from a lesion or site of the infection may be possible through testing for chlamydia but, this would not indicate if the chlamydia infection is lymphogranuloma venereum.
Relief spells (Rolaids?!) LGV Treatment:
Lymphogranuloma venereum can be treated with three weeks of antibiotics.
What’s going to happen to me?!!?! LGV Expectations:
With treatment the outlook is good.
Things to be aware of… Lymphogranuloma Venereum Complications:
Complications of untreated LGV may include enlargement and ulcerations of the external genitalia and lymphatic obstruction, which may lead to elephantiasis of the genitalia as well as:
- Abnormal connections between the rectum and vagina
- Brain inflammation (very rare)
- Infections in the joints, eyes, heart, or liver
- Long-term inflammation and swelling of the genitals
- Scarring and narrowing of the rectum
Complications can occur many years after you are first contract it.
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References
- Symptoms
- Charest, Louise, Judith Fafard, and Zoë R. Greenwald. “Asymptomatic urethral lymphogranuloma venereum: a case report.” International journal of STD & AIDS 29.8 (2018): 828-830.
- Diaz, Asuncion, Marta Ruiz-Algueró, and Victoria Hernando. “Lymphogranuloma venereum in Spain, 2005–2015: A literature review.” Medicina Clínica (English Edition) (2018).
- O’Byrne, Patrick, et al. “Approach to lymphogranuloma venereum.” Canadian Family Physician 62.7 (2016): 554-558.
- Belda, Walter. “Sexually transmitted diseases.” Dermatology in Public Health Environments. Springer, Cham, 2018. 139-156.
- Sullivan, Brian, et al. “Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) proctocolitis mimicking rectal lymphoma.” Radiology case reports 13.6 (2018): 1119-1122.
- Testing
- Maxwell, Alexandra Z., Penelope R. Cliff, and John A. White. “O12 LGV testing: are we identifying all cases in a timely manner?.” Sex Transm Infect 93.Suppl 1 (2017): A4-A5.
- Were, John, et al. “P219 Responding to the LGV epidemic: are the right patients being tested for LGV?.” (2016): A93-A93.
- Maxwell, Alexandra, Penelope Cliff, and John White. “O12 LGV testing.” Sexually Transmitted Infections 93.Suppl_1 (2017).
- Griffiths, Tristan, and Nneka Nwokolo. “O002 Rates of asymptomatic lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) in men who have sex with men (MSM).” (2016): A1-A1.
- Herrmann, Björn, et al. “P3. 27 Lymphogranuloma venereum in sweden 2004–2016: increased rates among hiv-negative men who have sex with men and changed genotypes.” (2017): A103-A103.
- Treatment
- Simons, Rebecca, et al. “Observed treatment responses to short-course doxycycline therapy for rectal lymphogranuloma venereum in men who have sex with men.” Sexually transmitted diseases 45.6 (2018): 406-408.
- Stoner, Bradley P., and Stephanie E. Cohen. “Lymphogranuloma venereum 2015: clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment.” Clinical Infectious Diseases 61.suppl_8 (2015): S865-S873.
- Fauzi, Mohd, Sameena Ahmad, and Cara Saxon. “P135 A review of local test of cure (TOC) practice following treatment for rectal chlamydia and lymphogranuloma venereum.” Sex Transm Infect 93.Suppl 1 (2017): A61-A61.
- Leeyaphan, Charussri, et al. “Treatment outcomes for rectal lymphogranuloma venereum in men who have sex with men using doxycycline, azithromycin, or both: a review of clinical cases.” Sexually transmitted diseases 44.4 (2017): 245-248.
- Donachie, Alastair, et al. “Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) in men who have sex with men (MSM): a re-emerging problem, Malta, 2018.” Eurosurveillance 23.43 (2018).
- Prevention
- Reyes-Urueña, J. M., et al. “Lymphogranuloma venereum in Barcelona, 2007–2012: the role of seroadaptation in men who have sex with men.” Epidemiology & Infection 143.1 (2015): 184-188.
- Caumes, Eric. “Letter to the editor: Prevention of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STI) in France: why not recommend using condoms and safer sex?.” Eurosurveillance 24.12 (2019): 1900171.
- Donachie, Alastair, et al. “Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) in men who have sex with men (MSM): a re-emerging problem, Malta, 2018.” Eurosurveillance 23.43 (2018).
- Brook, Gary, et al. “2017 European guideline for the screening, prevention and initial management of hepatitis B and C infections in sexual health settings.” International journal of STD & AIDS 29.10 (2018): 949-967.
- Mungati, M., et al. “P09. 23 High prevalence of hiv infection among patients with sti syndromes in zimbabwe: implications for prevention.” (2015): A156-A157.
- Transmission
- de Vries, Henry John C. “The Enigma of Lymphogranuloma Venereum Spread in Men Who Have Sex With Men: Does Ano-Oral Transmission Plays a Role?.” (2016): 420-422.
- Boutin, C. A., et al. “LGV in Quebec.” CCDR 44 (2018): 2.
- Templeton, David J., et al. “Enhanced surveillance of a lymphogranuloma venereum outbreak in Sydney 2010–2012.” Australian and New Zealand journal of public health 40.4 (2016): 368-370.
- de Vries, Henry JC. “Lymphoganuloma venereum in the Western world, 15 years after its re-emergence: new perspectives and research priorities.” Current opinion in infectious diseases 32.1 (2019): 43-50.
- Touati, Arabella, et al. “Did L Strains Responsible for Lymphogranuloma Venereum Proctitis Spread Among People With Genital Chlamydia trachomatis Infection in France in 2013?.” Sexually transmitted diseases 43.6 (2016): 374-376.
