Lymphogranuloma venereum in North America: case reports and an update for gastroenterologists.
OBJECTIVE
In 2003, a sharp increase in cases of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) caused by Chlamydia trachomatis in men who have sex with men was reported in Europe and, recently, cases of LGV have been reported in North America.


METHODS
We reviewed 3 cases of LGV proctitis recently diagnosed in Canada.


RESULTS
All 3 cases occurred in men who had sex with men; 2 of the patients had human immunodeficiency virus infection and 1 subsequently seroconverted. A delay in diagnosis occurred in all 3 patients: 2 patients were misdiagnosed initially with inflammatory bowel disease and 1 patient was treated as a case of non-LGV C trachomatis.


CONCLUSIONS
Given the recent outbreak, gastroenterologists in Europe and North America need to be familiar with the diagnosis and treatment of LGV because it mimics inflammatory bowel disease endoscopically and histologically.
Tinmouth
Jill
J
Division of Gastroenterology, Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada. jill.tinmouth@sw.ca
Rachlis
Anita
A
Wesson
Trevor
T
Hsieh
Eugene
E
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002170:Canada; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008219:Lymphogranuloma Venereum / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D011349:Proctitis / Q000382:microbiology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004318:Doxycycline