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Lymphogranuloma venereum

Publication at First Faculty of Medicine, Second Faculty of Medicine, Third Faculty of Medicine |
2012

Abstract

Lymphogranuloma venereum is a sexually transmitted disease caused by serovars L1-3 of Chlamydia trachomatis. This infection was originally endemic in tropics and transmitted predominantly by heterosexual contact but since the beginning of the century it spreads in industrialized countries mainly among men having sex with men causing them severe proctitis.

In the Czech Republic was the first case diagnosed in 2011. Lymphogranuloma venereum can resemble other forms of anorectal disorders inclusive inflammatory bowel diseases and thus it must be included into differential diagnostic considerations.

Definitive diagnosis is based on detection of specific serovars of Chlamydia trachomatis by polymerase chain reaction. In patients with lymphogranuloma venereum is also necessary to exclude other sexually transmitted diseases, particularly syphilis, HIV and also hepatitis C.

The therapy of choice is doxycycline administered for three weeks.