Swelling of inguinal lymph nodes in a patient with HIV: a case report

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the L1, L2, and L3 serotypes of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT). It primarily affects regional lymph nodes. Although it is not endemic in Europe and North America, recent reports indicate an increasing prevalence among men who have sex with men, with proctocolitis as the most frequently reported symptom. We report the case of a homosexual male that presented to our department with a nodular lesion on the shaft of the penis and tender, enlarged inguinal lymph nodes. Throat, urethral, and rectal swabs were collected for CT testing using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The urethral swab was positive for CT, whereas the throat and rectal swabs were negative. Subsequent testing detected the presence of LGV DNA. The patient was treated with a prolonged course of doxycycline. After 6 weeks, the urethral swab for CT returned a negative result. The patient reported complete remission 7 weeks after the start of treatment.