Lymphogranuloma venereum

Although LGV is a relatively rare sexually transmitted disease in the United States, its aggressive nature and serious late sequelae make early recognition and treatment imperative. The course of the disease is divided into three stages: primary genital lesions, secondary inguinal bubo development, and late fistula and stricture formation. Diagnosis is based on the clinical picture and demonstration of C trachomatis inclusion bodies on direct fluorescent antibody staining. The disease responds to tetracycline; 21 days of therapy are recommended.