173: Lymphogranuloma Venereum Flashcards
(112 cards)
What are the primary epidemiological characteristics of Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV)?
- Endemic in regions such as India, Southeast Asia, West Africa, South and Central America, and some Caribbean Islands.
- Accounts for 7% to 19% of genital ulcer diseases in Africa and India.
- Most affected are sexually active individuals aged 15 to 40, particularly in urban areas and lower socioeconomic status.
- Men are 6 times more likely than women to manifest clinical infection.
- Low incidence in developed countries, often limited to travelers or military personnel returning from endemic areas.
What are the main routes of transmission for Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV)?
- Direct contact with infectious secretions through unprotected intercourse (oral, vaginal, or anal).
- Asymptomatic rectal infection and/or penile and oral infection are likely sources of onward transmission.
- Other routes include sexual practices such as fisting and sex-toy sharing, which are significant risk factors for transmission.
What are the clinical findings associated with the primary stage of Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV)?
- Occurs 3 to 30 days after infection.
- Characterized by 5 to 8 mm painless erythematous papules or small herpetiform ulcers at the site of inoculation.
- Painful ulcerations and nonspecific urethritis are less common.
- Lesions in males typically occur on the coronal sulcus, prepuce, or glans penis, while in females, they are found on the posterior wall of the vagina, vulva, or cervix.
What is the etiology of Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV)?
- Caused by Chlamydia trachomatis serovars L1, L2, and L3.
- Recent outbreaks are primarily due to serovar L2, particularly L2b.
- The L2c variant suggests a more aggressive clinical course, leading to severe proctitis.
- Chlamydia trachomatis has two distinct morphologic forms: the elementary body (infectious) and the reticulate body (metabolically active but non-infectious).
A patient presents with a painless erythematous papule on the glans penis that healed spontaneously. What stage of LGV does this represent, and what is the typical timeline?
This represents the primary stage of LGV, which occurs 3-30 days after infection.
A patient with LGV has a history of fisting and sex-toy sharing. How do these practices contribute to the transmission of LGV?
These practices facilitate direct contact with infectious secretions, increasing the risk of LGV transmission.
A patient with LGV has a history of crack cocaine use. What is the epidemiological significance of this finding?
An epidemic of LGV has been reported among crack cocaine users in the Bahamas, highlighting a potential risk factor.
A patient with LGV has a history of asymptomatic rectal infection. What is the significance of asymptomatic carriers in LGV transmission?
Asymptomatic carriers, especially women, can serve as reservoirs of infection, facilitating onward transmission.
A patient with LGV has been diagnosed with a serovar L2c infection. What is the clinical significance of this serovar?
The L2c serovar is associated with a more aggressive clinical course, often causing severe proctitis.
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The L2c variant has been reported in new cases in Spain, Finland, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands, suggesting its spread.
A patient with LGV has been diagnosed with a genital ulcer. What are the key features that differentiate LGV ulcers from herpetic lesions?
LGV ulcers are painless and transient, whereas herpetic lesions are typically painful.
A patient with LGV has a genital ulcer. What is the typical size and appearance of the primary lesion?
The primary lesion is a 5- to 8-mm painless erythematous papule or small herpetiform ulcer.
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The primary lesion appears 3-30 days after infection.
What are typical locations of primary stage LGV in males?
In males, the primary lesion is usually located on the coronal sulcus, prepuce, or glans penis.
What are the typical locations of primary stage LGV in females?
In females, the primary lesion is usually located on the posterior wall of the vagina, vulva, or occasionally the cervix.
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In rectal inoculation, the primary lesion may occur in the rectum.
Aside from genital and rectal, what are other typical locations of inoculation of the primary lesion of LGV?
Lip or pharynx.
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In lip inoculation, the primary lesion may occur on the lip.
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In cervical inoculation, the primary lesion may occur on the cervix.
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In vaginal inoculation, the primary lesion may occur on the posterior wall of the vagina.
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- Endemic in India, Southeast Asia, East and West Africa, South and Central America, and some Caribbean Islands.
- Accounts for 7% to 19% of genital ulcer diseases in these areas.
- Most affected are sexually active persons aged 15 to 40 years, particularly in urban areas and lower socioeconomic status.
- Men are 6 times more likely than women to manifest clinical infection.
- Low incidence in developed countries, often limited to travelers or military personnel returning from endemic areas.
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- Direct contact with infectious secretions through unprotected intercourse (oral, vaginal, or anal).
- Asymptomatic rectal infection and/or penile and oral infection are likely sources of onward transmission.
- Other routes include sexual practices such as fisting and sex-toy sharing, with fisting identified as a major predisposing factor.
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- Occurs 3 to 30 days after infection.
- Characterized by 5 to 8 mm painless erythematous papules or small herpetiform ulcers at the site of inoculation.
- Painful ulcerations and nonspecific urethritis are less common.
- Initial lesions may be differentiated from herpetic lesions by the lack of associated pain.
- Lesions in males usually occur on the coronal sulcus, prepuce, or glans penis; in females, on the posterior wall of the vagina, vulva, or cervix.
What factors contribute to the misdiagnosis of Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV) in men who practice insertive anal sex?
- High proportion of men practicing insertive anal sex are misdiagnosed or undiagnosed due to:
- Organism-related factors
- Host-related factors (e.g., sexual practices such as fisting and use of sex toys, IV drug use, HIV status)
- Physician-related factors (failure to diagnose genital LGV).