[Lymphogranuloma venereum: new serovariant L2b and old "groove sign"]

An ongoing lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) outbreak has been reported in several European countries since 2003, related to a new variant L2b. This serovar appears to affect men who have sex with men (MSM), most of them being co-infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The secondary stage of LGV may involve lymph nodes and the inguinal form has sometimes been described on each side of the inguinal ligament thus named the "groove sign". We report the case of LGV serovariant L2b acquired by an heterosexual intercourse in an HIV seronegative patient who presented with an inguinal lymph node and a "groove sign". This is an uncommon but suggestive sign of LGV and we suggest that the clinical presentation of L2b LGV might not be so different than other variants and than the 20th century authors' description. Such a new Chlamydia trachomatis variant may circulate in other populations than MSM in Europe and clinical awareness must prevail.