Lymphogranuloma venereum in Australia

Ian Simms; Helen Ward; Iona Martin; Sarah Alexander; Catherine Ison

doi:10.1071/SH06039

EDITORIAL

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Lymphogranuloma venereum in Australia

Ian Simms ^A ^D , Helen Ward ^A ^C , Iona Martin ^A , Sarah Alexander ^A and Catherine Ison ^B

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A HIV and STI Department, Health Protection Agency Centre for Infections, London NW9 5EQ, UK.

^B Sexually Transmitted Bacteria Reference Laboratory, Health Protection Agency Centre for Infections, London NW9 5ET, UK.

^C Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London W2 1PG, UK.

^D Corresponding author. Email: ian.simms@hpa.org.uk

Sexual Health 3(3) 131-133 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH06039
Submitted: 4 July 2006 Accepted: 2 August 2006 Published: 29 August 2006

Abstract

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), caused by C. trachomatis serovars L₁, L₂ and L₃, is an invasive disease capable of causing tissue destruction with many patients experiencing complex, severe symptoms. LGV, endemic to areas of Africa, Asia, South America and the Caribbean, has emerged as a cause of significant morbidity among men who have sex with men (MSM) in more affluent nations. The high prevalence of HIV in LGV cases could suggest either that LGV is confined to a dense sexual network, or that clinicians are selectively testing HIV-positive MSM for LGV. The increase in reported LGV cases highlights the need to improve sexual health overall among MSM; experience from the recent syphilis outbreaks suggests that control could prove difficult.

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