venereal lymphogranuloma

venereal lymphogranuloma

n.

A venereal infection usually caused by Chlamydia and characterized by a transient genital ulcer and inguinal adenopathy in the male; in the female, perirectal nodes are involved, and rectal stricture is a common occurrence. Also called climatic bubo, Nicolas-Favre disease, sixth venereal disease, tropical bubo.

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lymphogranuloma [lim″fo-gran″u-lo´mah]

Hodgkin's disease.

lymphogranuloma inguina´le (venereal lymphogranuloma) (lymphogranuloma vene´reum) a sexually transmitted disease caused by a strain of Chlamydia trachomatis, which affects the lymph organs in the genital area. It occurs most frequently in tropical and semitropical regions. Three to 21 days after the body is infected, a small, hard sore appears in the genital area. The disease soon spreads from the local sore to the lymph nodes, particularly those in the groin; nodes may swell to the size of a walnut. Since they seldom break open and drain pus, the swellings may remain for months unless aspirated. In women with the disease, the vulva may become greatly enlarged. The rectum may become narrowed, so that surgery is necessary for relief. In the early stages of the disease, there may also be inflammation of the joints, skin rashes, and fever. Sometimes the brain and meninges are affected. It is thought that after the initial sore heals, men may no longer transmit the disease. Women, however, may infect sexual partners for years. The condition may be successfully treated with doxycycline or erythromycin.