Info on LGV

Rare sexually transmitted disease surfaces in Canada
Last Updated Wed, 01 Jun 2005 12:12:46 EDT
CBC News
A potentially fatal sexually transmitted disease that rarely appears in industrialized countries has popped up in Canada, raising fears of an outbreak.

So far, 22 cases of lymphogranuloma venereum have been reported to the country's public health agency, according to an analysis in the May 31 online edition of the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

"Currently in Canada, LGV appears to be primarily occurring among men having sex with men, a high proportion of whom have concurrent HIV infection, other [sexually transmitted diseases] or hepatitis C," the analysis says.

"LGV is an emerging and significant public health concern."

LGV, a type of chlamydia infection, can be transmitted through vaginal, anal or oral sexual contact.

It starts as a small lesion and can progress to painfully swell lymph nodes.

If left untreated, it can lead to deformity of the genitals or rectum, and, in rare cases, even death.

The infection is endemic in parts of Africa, Asia, South America and the Caribbean.

LGV seldom appeared in industrialized countries until recently. Cases among men who have sex with men popped up in the Netherlands in 2003, followed by cases in Belgium, France, Germany, Sweden, Britain and the United States.

These cases have been associated with concurrent HIV or hepatitis C infections and higher-risk sexual activities such as sex parties.

The article in the medical journal, which will appear in its June 21 print edition, says that the provinces and territories had reported 16 confirmed and six possible cases of LGV to the Public Health Agency of Canada by May 13.

The earliest known onset of an infection dated back to January 2004.

Epidemiological data was available for 19 of the 22 cases: all were men who didn't appear to be connected.

Ten patients reported having sex with men and one reported having sex with women in the two months before they were interviewed. No one reported having sex in other countries during that time.