title: Observation of a cytopathogenic effect on cell lines used for routine viral cultures led to the diagnosis of lymphogranuloma venereum.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article reports the fortuitous recovery of nine Chlamydia trachomatis serovar L strains in cell cultures (Vero and LLC-MK(2) cell line) designed for viral culture.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine ano-genital swabs were inoculated on confluent Vero, MRC5 and LLC-MK(2) cell cultures. They were collected from HIV-positive patients who were primarily men who have sex with men (MSM) presenting ulcerations that mimicked herpes simplex infections.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A cytopathogenic effect was observed on Vero and LLC-MK(2) cells on day 14. The presence of C trachomatis serovar L in the cell lines was confirmed by Real Time-PCR.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  C trachomatis serovar L can grow on Vero and LLC-MK(2) cell lines designed for viral cultures. Lymphogranuloma venereum must be considered as a differential diagnosis for herpes-like lesions, particularly in MSM with high-risk behaviours.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Porte de Hal Laboratory, Saint-Pierre University Hospital & Jules Bordet Institute, Brussels, Belgium. laurent_busson@stpierre-bru.be
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Busson
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Crucitti
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Foor
authors.forename: Sigi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Van den Wijngaert
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Vandenberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D002460:Cell Line; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging; D005060:Europe; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008219:Lymphogranuloma Venereum / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011349:Proctitis; D018523:Tropism