Streptococcal lymphadenitis in homosexual men with chronic lymphadenopathy

Lymphadenopathy is an important clinical problem in homosexual men. Over a period of 10 months, three homosexual patients were treated for chronic lymphadenopathy and spontaneous lymphadenitis of the inguinal lymph nodes. All patients presented with fever, chills, and rapidly enlarging inguinal masses. In each case, cultures showed group A beta-hemolytic streptococci. None of the patients had an obvious portal of entry for infection, and all had responses to penicillin and surgical drainage. Streptococcal lymphadenitis should be considered in any homosexual man with chronic lymphadenopathy in whom rapidly enlarging inguinal nodes develop.