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P08.14 Lymphogranuloma venereum in the czech republic
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  1. H Klepetková1,
  2. L Machala2,
  3. F Rob3,
  4. D Vaňousová3,
  5. H Zákoucká1
  1. 1National Reference Laboratory for Chlamydia, National Institute for Public Health, Prague, Czech Republic
  2. 2Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Bulovka, Prague, Czech Republic
  3. 3Department of Dermatovenerology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Bulovka, Prague, Czech Republic

Abstract

Introduction Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis serovars L1 – L3. LGV was considered as tropical disease with typical inguinal syndrome and it wasn’t usual in Europe until 2003, when an outbreak was observed in the Netherlands. This was followed by series of outbreaks emerging in different European countries and North America. A common feature for this epidemic is men who have sex with men (MSM) with signs of severe proctocolitis. Most of the patients are co-infected with HIV and/or other sexually transmitted infections (STI).

Methods The National Reference Laboratory for Chlamydia Infections offers a diagnostic service to clinicians. The disease is confirmed by the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis and L1 – L3 serovars from multiplex PCR (Seegene). Multiplex PCR is very useful, because multiple infections are observed in many cases.

Results First case of LGV was diagnosed from a lymph node puncture in 2010. Then the number of patients was slowly increasing (5–10 patients per year) and the most cases were diagnosed in 2014 (23 patients). Until March 2015, a total of 56 patients with LGV were confirmed. Characteristics of these cases were similar to those in other European countries. LGV was confirmed among MSM with high prevalence of other STI.  Forty-eight patients (85%) were co-infected with HIV. In some cases, HIV and LGV were diagnosed at approximately the same time. Forty-three patients (77%) were co-infected with syphilis. The data on other STI are not completed. The vast majority of patients manifested proctocolitis. Only in few cases the inguinal syndrome was observed.

Conclusion Lymphogranuloma venereum is also present among MSM in the Czech Republic. We observed, that the number of cases increases. Certainly, it is necessary to expand testing of chlamydial infection in MSM, because this disease could facilitate HIV transmission.

Disclosure of interest statement Nothing to declare.

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