Dermatologic Manifestations of Lymphogranuloma Venereum 

  • Author: Jose A Plaza, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 12, 2012
 

Background

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a primarily cutaneous, and sometimes systemic, sexually transmitted disease (STD), which primarily affects lymphatic tissue of the groin. LGV is caused by unique serotypes L1, L2, and L3 of Chlamydia trachomatis. LGV occurs only sporadically in North America, but it is endemic in many parts of the developing world. A recent outbreak of LGV proctocolitis has been reported among homosexual men in North America and Europe, and many of these individuals were co-infected with HIV.[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]

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Pathophysiology

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is caused by C trachomatis, an obligate intracellular pathogen (ie, the bacterium lives within human cells), and strains L1, L2, and L3 have been associated with infection. LGV is primarily a disease of lymphatic tissue. Because Chlamydia species cannot traverse the intact epithelial barrier, access to lymphatic vessels is gained through microtrauma in the skin or mucous membranes. The pathogen then enters the draining lymph nodes, causing lymphangitis or lymphadenitis. The causal pathologic process involves thrombolymphangitis and perilymphangitis and the consequent spread of the inflammatory reaction from the affected lymph nodes to surrounding tissues.

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Epidemiology

Frequency

United States

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is rare in the United States, and the true incidence is not known.

International

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is most common in Southeast Asia, Africa, Central America, and the Caribbean. LGV accounts for 2-10% of genital ulcer disease in India and Africa.[8]

Mortality/Morbidity

Progression to the third phase of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) can result in serious and permanent sequelae such as genital deformity, fistulas, and rectal strictures, among others. Complete cure is achieved by early recognition of LGV and appropriate antibiotic treatment.

Race

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is found more commonly in blacks.

Sex

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is significantly more common in men than in women.

Age

The peak range for lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is in individuals aged 15-40 years.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Jose A Plaza, MD  Director of Dermatopathology, Department of Pathology, Froedtert Hospital; Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Section of Dermatopathology, Medical College of Wisconsin

Jose A Plaza, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association and American Society for Clinical Pathology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Victor G Prieto, MD, PhD  Director of Dermatopathology, Professor, Departments of Pathology and Dermatology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Victor G Prieto, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Medical Association, American Society for Clinical Pathology, American Society of Dermatopathology, College of American Pathologists, European Society of Pathology, International Society of Dermatopathology, Society for Investigative Dermatology, and United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Terry L Barrett, MD  Clinical Professor of Dermatology and Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern School of Medicine; Director, ProPath Dermatopathology, Dallas, Texas

Terry L Barrett, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Dermatological Association, American Medical Association, American Society of Dermatopathology, College of American Pathologists, and United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Michael J Wells, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine

Michael J Wells, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Lester F Libow, MD  Dermatopathologist, South Texas Dermatopathology Laboratory

Lester F Libow, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE  Medical Director, Clinical Studies Unit, Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Associate Scholar, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania

Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE is a member of the following medical societies: Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: AMGEN Consulting fee Consulting; AMGEN Grant/research funds Investigator; Genentech Grant/research funds investigator; Centocor Consulting fee Consulting; Abbott Grant/research funds investigator; Abbott Consulting fee Consulting; Novartis investigator; Pfizer Grant/research funds investigator; Celgene Consulting fee DMC Chair; NIAMS and NHLBI Grant/research funds investigator

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous authors, Jennifer D. Lorek, MD, Scott M. Acker, MD, Peter Langenstroer, MD, and Milton W. Datta, MD, to the development and writing of this article.

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