Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV)

Susan Tuddenham, M.D., Noreen A. Hynes, M.D., M.P.H., D.T.M.&H.
Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a topic covered in the Johns Hopkins ABX Guide.

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MICROBIOLOGY

  • LGV due to Chlamydia trachomatis L1, L2 and L3 serovars.
  • All chlamydia, including those serovars causing LGV, are obligate intracellular microorganisms but LGV serovars are lymphotropic. May cause systemic disease rather than superficial mucosal infection.
    • LGV is distinct from other chlamydia serovars causing either common genital chlamydial disease (serovars D-K) or trachoma (serovars A-C).
    • LGV strains infect macrophages and spread to lymph nodes which are different from other C. trachomatis strains that are usually restricted to the epithelial cells of the conjunctiva and urogenital mucosa.
      • This tropism likely accounts for the differing clinical features and severity of LGV infection when compared with other strains.

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MICROBIOLOGY

  • LGV due to Chlamydia trachomatis L1, L2 and L3 serovars.
  • All chlamydia, including those serovars causing LGV, are obligate intracellular microorganisms but LGV serovars are lymphotropic. May cause systemic disease rather than superficial mucosal infection.
    • LGV is distinct from other chlamydia serovars causing either common genital chlamydial disease (serovars D-K) or trachoma (serovars A-C).
    • LGV strains infect macrophages and spread to lymph nodes which are different from other C. trachomatis strains that are usually restricted to the epithelial cells of the conjunctiva and urogenital mucosa.
      • This tropism likely accounts for the differing clinical features and severity of LGV infection when compared with other strains.

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Last updated: November 14, 2021