title: Lymphogranuloma venereum among men who have sex with men. An epidemiological and clinical review.
abstract: Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a sexually transmitted infection, previously only seen in tropical regions. This changed in 2003 when the first endemically acquired LGV cases were reported in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, among predominantly HIV positive men who have sex with men (MSM). Early diagnosis is important to prevent irreversible complications and to stop further transmission in the community. In contrast to earlier reports, approximately 25% of LGV infections are asymptomatic and form an easily missed undetected reservoir. The majority of reported infections in MSM are found in the anorectal canal and not urogenital, which leaves the mode of transmission within the MSM network unclear. Given the increasing trend, the LGV endemic is clearly not under control. Therefore directed screening must be intensified.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology/Allergology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Nynke Hesselina Neeltje
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: de Vrieze
authors.forename: Henry John Christiaan
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: de Vries
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001003:Anal Canal; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D060085:Coinfection; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008219:Lymphogranuloma Venereum / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior
keywords: Chlamydia trachomatis; HIV; lymphogranuloma venereum; male homosexuality; men who have sex with men; sexually transmitted infection