Rapid increase in lymphogranuloma venereum in men who have sex with men, United Kingdom, 2003 to September 2015

Abstract

United Kingdom (UK) national data show a sharp increase in diagnoses of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) since 2012. Most cases are in men who have sex with men (MSM) living in London, with high rates of co-infection with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. In light of these data, and the recent finding that one quarter of LGV infections may be asymptomatic, clinicians should be vigilant in testing for LGV, including in asymptomatic HIV-positive MSM.

Extra-rectal lymphogranuloma venereum in France: a clinical and molecular study

“…However small in magnitude, we noticed a surge in the number of cases diagnosed from 2013 onwards, following the trend seen with rectal LGV in France and the UK 12. Cases exclusively involved men, largely MSM, with a median age of 39 years, fitting the characteristics of previously described rectal LGV cohorts 1.…”

Lymphogranuloma venereum in Quebec: Re-emergence among men who have sex with men

“…A large percentage of men are HIV and/or hepatitis C positive and very few cases, if any, are detected in heterosexual men or women. Asymptomatic cases have been detected, but the vast majority of cases present with symptoms of rectal infection (14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19).…”

Notes from the Field:Cluster of Lymphogranuloma Venereum Cases Among Men Who Have Sex with Men — Michigan, August 2015–April 2016

“…In Europe, outbreaks of LGV have been reported among men who have sex with men (MSM), often in association with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection (3)(4)(5). The prevalence of LGV in the United States is unknown (1), because diagnostic tests to differentiate LGV from non-LGV Chlamydia trachomatis are not widely available (6), and providers might not know that they should report cases that are presumptively treated.…”