The silent epidemic of lymphogranuloma venereum inside the COVID-19 pandemic in Madrid, Spain, March 2020 to February 2021

Abstract

Despite social distancing measures implemented in Madrid to prevent the propagation of SARS-CoV-2, a significant increase (57.1%; 28.5 to 38.5 cases/month) in cases of lymphogranuloma venereum was detected during the COVID-19 pandemic. This unusual scenario might have accelerated a shift in Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) epidemiology towards a higher proportion of L genotypes compared with non-L genotypes in CT-positive samples. Our data underscore the importance of surveillance of sexually transmitted infections during the pandemic, in particular among vulnerable populations.

Rapid Increase in Lymphogranuloma Venereum among HIV-Negative Men Who Have Sex with Men, England, 2019

“…Further investigation will be needed to understand the impact of HIV prevention on transmission of bacterial STIs. However, the increasing proportion of LGV diagnoses among HIV-negative MSM during 2017–2019 is in line with reports from other countries in Europe ( 6 , 8 , 14 , 15 ).…”

First confirmed Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) cases among MSM in Bulgaria, 2020–2021

“…This is in accordance with recent European studies where an evolution towards this genovar has been observed [11][12][13]. Although LGV outbreaks were initially characterized as affecting predominantly HIV-positive MSM [14], recent European studies have reported a rising trend of LGV among HIV-negative MSM [15][16][17]; which is consistent with our finding of both HIV-positive and HIV-negative LGV case. The recommended therapy for LGV proctitis is oral doxycycline, 100 mg orally twice daily for three weeks [6].…”

Linfogranuloma venéreo genital en un hombre que tiene sexo con hombre: reporte de caso no importado en Chile

“…Sin embargo, con la epidemia del VIH, hubo un aumento de los casos de LGV anorectal en comunidades de HSH de Europa y de E.U.A. 9,10 y posteriormente en España, Francia y Australia [2][3][4]11,12 . En Chile, el LGV no es una enfermedad de notificación obligatoria, por lo que su real incidencia podría estar subestimada.…”

“…Como en el caso presentado, la gran mayoría de los HSH que han adquirido el LGV también tienen VIH y otras ITS 2,13 . Al igual que otras infecciones ulceradas, el…”