El Linfogranuloma venéreo rectal: presentación clínica emergente / Rectal lymphogranuloma venereum: an emergent clinical presentation

El linfogranuloma venéreo (LGV) es una enfermedad de transmisión sexual (ETS) poco frecuente causada por los serotipos L1, L2 y L3 de Chlamydia trachomatis.Desde hace más de una década se produjo un aumento de la incidencia de proctitis por LGV casi exclusivamente en hombres que tienen sexo con hombres con prácticas sexuales de riesgo para ETS.Se presentan cuatro casos con LGV rectal

Lymphogranuloma venereum is a rare sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by serotypes L1, L2 and L3 of Chlamydia trachomatis.For over a decade, there has been a considerable increase in the incidence of LGV proctitis in almost exclusively men who have sex with men with STI risk behaviors.Four cases of rectal LGV are reported

Glycosylation-dependent galectin-receptor interactions promote Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) constitutes the most prevalent sexually transmitted bacterium worldwide. Chlamydial infections can lead to severe clinical sequelae including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and tubal infertility. As an obligate intracellular pathogen, Ct has evolved multiple strategies to promote adhesion and invasion of host cells, including those involving both bacterial and host glycans. Here, we show that galectin-1 (Gal1), an endogenous lectin widely expressed in female and male genital tracts, promotes Ct infection. Through glycosylation-dependent mechanisms involving recognition of bacterial glycoproteins and N-glycosylated host cell receptors, Gal1 enhanced Ct attachment to cervical epithelial cells. Exposure to Gal1, mainly in its dimeric form, facilitated bacterial entry and increased the number of infected cells by favoring Ct-Ct and Ct-host cell interactions. These effects were substantiated in vivo in mice lacking Gal1 or complex ß1-6-branched N-glycans. Thus, disrupting Gal1-N-glycan interactions may limit the severity of chlamydial infection by inhibiting bacterial invasion of host cells.

Lymphogranuloma venereum: "a clinical and histopathological chameleon?".

Lymphogranuloma venereum is an infection caused by a variety of the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Both genital and extragenital manifestations of the disease can cause serious differential diagnostic difficulties, indirectly leading to progression and dissemination of the infection. This work describes cases of patients with lymphogranuloma venereum showing atypical clinical and/or histopathological findings. It also focuses on alternative therapeutic approaches, such as surgical excision at stage 1, that may lead to a positive outcome. It is not completely clear whether histopathological findings of lymphogranuloma venereum can reveal progression or changes in the course of the disease over time, as is the case in other diseases. We conclude that both clinical and histopathological observations in a larger number of patients are needed in order to further evaluate the findings presented in this article.

Lymphogranuloma venereum: "a clinical and histopathological chameleon?" / Linfogranuloma venéreo: "um camaleão clínico e histopatológico?"

Lymphogranuloma venereum is an infection caused by a variety of the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Both genital and extragenital manifestations of the disease can cause serious differential diagnostic difficulties, indirectly leading to progression and dissemination of the infection. This work describes cases of patients with lymphogranuloma venereum showing atypical clinical and/or histopathological findings. It also focuses on alternative therapeutic approaches, such as surgical excision at stage 1, that may lead to a positive outcome. It is not completely clear whether histopathological findings of lymphogranuloma venereum can reveal progression or changes in the course of the disease over time, as is the case in other diseases. We conclude that both clinical and histopathological observations in a larger number of patients are needed in order to further evaluate the findings presented in this article.

Linfogranuloma venéreo é uma infecção causada por um tipo específico da bactéria Chlamydia trachomatis. Manifestações genitais e extragenitais da doença podem causar uma série de dificuldades no diagnóstico diferencial, indiretamente levando a progressão ou disseminação da infecção. Este trabalho apresenta casos de pacientes com linfogranuloma venéreo cujos achados clínicos e/ou histopatológicos são atípicos, além de abordar métodos de terapia alternativos, tais como excisão cirúrgica na fase 1, os quais podem trazer um resultado positivo. Ainda não se sabe se achados histopatológicos do linfogranuloma venéreo podem revelar progressão ou mudanças no curso da doença ao longo do tempo, como ocorre com outras enfermidades. Concluímos que observações clínicas e histopatológicas devem envolver um número maior de pacientes a fim de avaliar os resultados clínicos deste trabalho.

Lack of utility of risk score and gynecological examination for screening for sexually transmitted infections in sexually active adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections constitute the main health risk among adolescents. In developing countries the diagnosis and treatment of cervical infections is based on the syndromic approach. In this study we estimated the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae among female adolescents from a Health Sector of the city of Goiânia, Brazil, and validated cervicitis diagnosis using World Health Organization/Ministry of Health risk score and gynecological examination. METHODS: A cross-sectional community-based sample of 914 15- to 19-year-old female teenagers was randomly selected and referred to the local Family Health Program. Of these, 472 (51.6%) were sexually active and gynecological examinations were carried out for 427. Endocervical samples were collected to perform the polymerase chain reaction for C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae. Performance of risk score, the presence of mucopurulent discharge, friability, ectopia and pain during cervical maneuver were compared with the presence of C. trachomatis or N. gonorrhoeae or both. RESULTS: The prevalence of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae was 14.5% and 2.1%, respectively. The risk score had a specificity of 31.9% (95% confidence interval, 21.2 to 44.2) and a positive predictive value of 20.8% (95% confidence interval, 13.5 to 29.7). Friability was the component of the gynecological examination that presented the best performance with a sensitivity of 43.5%, specificity of 81.0%, and 30.6% of positive predictive value. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of infection by C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae was high among these sexually active adolescents. The syndromic approach is clearly inadequate for screening and treating these infections in this population. Therefore, the implantation of other strategies to control these infections among adolescents is urgently required.

Rectal lymphogranuloma venereum in Jamaica

One hundred patients with rectal lymphogranuloma venereum were treated at the University College Hospital, Jamaica. Patients were all of the lowest socio-economic group. Ninety per cent of patients were females. The generally accepted theory of spread of infection by lymphatics from vagina to rectum is refuted and the possibility of contiguous spread is suggested. The disease is chronic, progressing from proctocolitis to ano-rectal stricture. Secondary infection probably contributes to stricture formation. Early treatment of proctocolitis by broad spectrum antibiotics prevents stricture formation. Major operation is required only for the extensive stricture. In all cases restoration of sphincter function should be the aim. This has been achieved by an intra sphincteric proctectomy in many cases (AU)

Rectal lymphogranuloma venereum in Jamaica

A brief history of lymphogranuloma with special reference to rectal involvement is given. Experience in Jamaica in the treatment of 144 cases of rectal lymphogranuloma is reported. In cases of proctocolitis, patients can be relieved of rectal stricture only by its removal but symptoms may be relieved by more conservative treatment. Excision operations should be reserved for the severe cases. The prognosis of proctectomy with preservation of sphincter function should be guarded. The abdomino-end-anal operation of Dimitriu and Gregoresco has given promising results. (Summary)