Observation of a cytopathogenic effect on cell lines used for routine viral cultures led to the diagnosis of lymphogranuloma venereum
- 1Department of Microbiology, Porte de Hal Laboratory, Saint-Pierre University Hospital & Jules Bordet Institute, Brussels, Belgium
- 2HIV/STI Reference Laboratory, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerpen, Belgium
- 3Infectious Diseases Epidemiological Unit, Public Health School, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Correspondence to Dr Laurent Busson, Department of Microbiology, Saint-Pierre University Hospital, Rue Haute 322, Brussels 1000, Belgium; laurent_busson{at}stpierre-bru.be
- Received 3 August 2012
- Revised 18 October 2012
- Accepted 11 November 2012
- Published Online First 6 December 2012
Abstract
Objectives This article reports the fortuitous recovery of nine Chlamydia trachomatis serovar L strains in cell cultures (Vero and LLC-MK2 cell line) designed for viral culture.
Methods Nine ano-genital swabs were inoculated on confluent Vero, MRC5 and LLC-MK2 cell cultures. They were collected from HIV-positive patients who were primarily men who have sex with men (MSM) presenting ulcerations that mimicked herpes simplex infections.
Results A cytopathogenic effect was observed on Vero and LLC-MK2 cells on day 14. The presence of C trachomatis serovar L in the cell lines was confirmed by Real Time–PCR.
Conclusions C trachomatis serovar L can grow on Vero and LLC-MK2 cell lines designed for viral cultures. Lymphogranuloma venereum must be considered as a differential diagnosis for herpes-like lesions, particularly in MSM with high-risk behaviours.
