Venereal lymphogranuloma: Description, causes, symptoms and features of treatment

Sexually transmitted diseases are widespread both among men and women. They are not only accompanied by unpleasant sensations in the genital area, but also are dangerous to health. Long-term chronic infections can result in infertility. One of the venereal pathologies is chlamydia. This disease can occur in different ways, depending on the serotype of the pathogen. In some cases, venereal lymphogranuloma is the manifestation of infection. This pathology is found in tropical countries, some areas of America and Asia. Nevertheless, episodic outbreaks of infection can be observed everywhere.

Chlamydial lymphogranuloma - what is it?

The disease refers to venereal infections. It has several names. Among them: climatic bubo, inguinal lymphogranulomatosis, Duran-Nicola Favre disease . Previously, this pathology was called the "fourth venereal infection", as it became known after syphilis, soft chancre and gonorrhea. In most cases, the disease is transmitted sexually. Venereal lymphogranuloma occurs in representatives of both sexes. Nevertheless, more often it is observed in men.

Venereal lymphogranuloma: causes, symptoms of the disease

This pathology refers to sexually transmitted infections. The causative agent of the disease is chlamydia trachomatis. This microorganism is represented by various serological species. The cause of venereal lymphogranuloma are types L1,2 and 3. Symptoms of the disease differ from urogenital chlamydia caused by the same pathogen. This is due to the fact that these serotypes have tropism to the lymphoid tissue. Since pathology is a venereal disease, the main cause of infection is sexual contact with an infected partner. The causative agent penetrates the body through damaged skin and mucous membranes. The appearance of the first symptoms can be observed both on the genitals, and in the oral cavity and rectum. The spread of infection is also possible with transfusion of infected blood, cosmetic procedures.

Mechanism of development of lymphogranuloma

The lymphogranuloma does not develop immediately. Like many infectious diseases, the disease has an incubation period. It can last from several days to 2 months. After the penetration of the pathogen into the body through damaged tissues, the infection spreads through the lymphatic vessels. Chlamydia multiply rapidly and cause necrosis and inflammation of the tissues. Since they have tropism to the lymph nodes, all these changes take place there. Lymphadenitis usually has a symmetrical character. Later, the inflammatory process passes to the skin. With a long-term infection and the absence of treatment, the pathogen spreads from the lymphatic vessels to the circulatory system. In this case chlamydia persist throughout the body. This is a very dangerous symptom, as it leads to serious complications.

Clinical picture of chlamydial lymphogranuloma

The first signs of the disease appear in the incubation period. They are characterized by an increase in body temperature, weakness, myalgia. Later, local symptoms of infection are added. At the same time on the skin and mucous membranes there are eruptions in the form of pustules, papules and vesicles. Venous chlamydial lymphogranuloma in men usually begins with the glans penis or coronary sulcus. Sometimes the place of infection is the foreskin. In women, rashes may appear on the skin of the labia or in the vagina. With non-traditional sexual intercourse, the place of introduction is: the mucous membrane of the cheeks, tonsils, the rectum area. After a few days, the rashes pass on their own without leaving traces and unpleasant sensations. For this reason, patients often do not notice that they have been infected. After 2-6 weeks, lymph nodes are affected. They become painful and enlarged in size. When palpation lymph nodes are soldered to surrounding tissues. In most cases, the defeat begins on one side and quickly spreads to the opposite half. Inflammatory process can include inguinal, iliac, femoral lymph nodes (sometimes submandibular, cervical groups). This process is accompanied by symptoms of intoxication. Later chlamydial granuloma venereal passes into the terminal stage. The causative agent spreads throughout the body, affecting the tissues. There is the formation of fistulas, inflammation of the cellulose of the rectum, stasis of lymph. Complications often develop.

Diagnosis of venereal lymphogranuloma

Diagnosis of chlamydial lymphogranuloma is based on anamnesis and clinical picture. It should be found out: whether the patient had unprotected sexual contacts and rashes on the genitals. Symptoms can be confused with other pathologies, for example, with lymphogranulomatosis, syphilis and genital herpes. Therefore, in addition to assessing the clinical situation, laboratory diagnostics is necessary. Materials for research are blood, pustules and vesicles, tissue of the lymph node. Since a cross-reaction with other types of chlamydia is possible, serological diagnostic methods are necessary. In the laboratory, the pathogen is grown on chick embryos (culture analysis).

Chlamydial lymphogranuloma venereus: treatment of pathology

It should be remembered that the disease is highly contagious. Therefore, the treatment of venereal lymphogranuloma should be carried out by both partners simultaneously. During this time, sexual intercourse should be excluded. Etiological treatment is considered antibiotic therapy. Apply drugs "Hemomycin", "Erythromycin". It is also necessary to comply with the diet (exclude sweet, bitter and salty foods). When complications develop, surgical procedures are performed: opening and draining of lymphatic vessels. When there are erosive surfaces on the skin, you need local treatment (antiseptic baths) and frequent change of clothes.

Prevention of Chlamydia Infection

To avoid infection, the primary prevention of infection. It includes the following measures:

1. Use barrier methods of protection in case of casual sexual intercourse.
2. If you suspect any STI, you should immediately go to a doctor and do not self-medicate.
3. Perform cosmetic and gynecological procedures only with processed or disposable instruments.

To avoid complications, carry out secondary prevention. It consists in strict performance of doctor's appointments, simultaneous treatment of partners.

What complications are possible with a venereal granuloma?

The venous lymphogranuloma is dangerous for the development of severe complications. Usually they develop in the terminal stage of the disease, in the absence of treatment. At destruction of lymph nodes such complications as paraproctitis, elephantiasis, appearance of fistulas and adhesions are observed. This leads to intestinal obstruction. When the pathogen enters the bloodstream, inflammation of organs and systems is possible. The most dangerous complication is the penetration of chlamydia into the brain tissue.