Sexually transmitted diseases are widespread among both men and women. They are not only accompanied by discomfort in the genital area, but are also dangerous to health. Long-term ongoing chronic infections can result in infertility. One of the sexually transmitted pathologies is chlamydia. This disease can occur in different ways, depending on the serotype of the pathogen. In some cases, the manifestation of infection is venereal lymphogranuloma. This pathology is found in tropical countries, parts of America and Asia. However, occasional outbreaks of infection can be observed everywhere.
Chlamydial lymphogranuloma - what is it?
The disease refers to sexually transmitted infections. It has several names. Among them: a climatic bubo, inguinal lymphogranulomatosis, Duran-Nicola-Favre disease . Previously, this pathology was called the “fourth sexually transmitted infection”, since it became known after syphilis, soft chancre and gonorrhea. In most cases, the disease is sexually transmitted. Venereal lymphogranuloma occurs in both sexes. Nevertheless, it is more often 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 is 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 a tropism for lymphoid tissue. Since pathology is a sexually transmitted disease, the main cause of infection is sexual contact with an infected partner. The causative agent enters the body through damaged areas of the 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.
The mechanism of development of lymphogranuloma
Venereal lymphogranuloma does not develop immediately. Like many infectious pathologies, the disease has an incubation period. It can last from a few days to 2 months. After the pathogen enters the body through damaged tissue, the infection begins to spread through the lymphatic vessels. Chlamydiae multiply rapidly and cause necrosis and tissue inflammation. Since they have a tropism to the lymph nodes, then all these changes occur there. Lymphadenitis is most often symmetrical. Later, the inflammatory process passes to the skin. With a long-lasting infection and the absence of treatment, the pathogen spreads from the lymphatic vessels to the circulatory system. At the same time, chlamydia persists throughout the body. This is a very dangerous symptom, as it leads to serious complications.
The clinical picture with chlamydial lymphogranuloma
The first signs of the disease appear in the incubation period. They are characterized by fever, weakness, myalgia. Later local symptoms of infection join. In this case, rashes in the form of pustules, papules and vesicles are observed on the skin and mucous membranes. Venereal chlamydial lymphogranuloma in men usually begins with the glans penis or coronary sulcus. Sometimes the foreskin becomes the site of infection. In women, rashes can appear on the skin of the labia or in the vagina. In non-traditional sexual intercourse, the place of introduction becomes: the mucous membrane of the cheeks, tonsils, and the rectal region. After a few days, the rashes pass on their own, leaving no traces and discomfort. For this reason, patients often do not notice that they were infected. After 2-6 weeks, lymph nodes are affected. They become painful and enlarged. On palpation, the lymph nodes are soldered to the surrounding tissues. In most cases, the lesion begins on one side and quickly spreads to the opposite half. The inflammatory process can include inguinal, iliac, femoral lymph nodes (sometimes submandibular, cervical groups). This process is accompanied by symptoms of intoxication. Later, venereal chlamydial granuloma passes into the terminal stage. The causative agent spreads throughout the body, affecting tissue. There is the formation of fistulas, inflammation of the rectum, stagnation of lymph. In this case, complications often develop.
Diagnosis of venereal lymphogranuloma
Diagnosis of chlamydial lymphogranuloma is based on an anamnesis and clinical presentation. It should be ascertained: did the patient have unprotected sexual intercourse 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 diagnosis is necessary. Materials for the study are blood, discharge from 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 laboratory conditions, the pathogen is grown on chicken embryos (culture analysis).
Venereal chlamydial lymphogranuloma: treatment of pathology
It should be remembered that the disease is highly contagious. Therefore, treatment of venereal lymphogranuloma should be carried out by both partners simultaneously. Sexual contact should be excluded at this time. Etiological treatment is considered antibiotic therapy. Apply drugs "Chemomycin", "Erythromycin." It is also necessary to follow a diet (exclude sweet, bitter and salty foods). With the development of complications, surgical manipulations are performed: opening and drainage of the lymphatic vessels. If erosive surfaces occur on the skin, local treatment (antiseptic baths) and frequent linen changes are necessary.
Prevention of chlamydial infection
To avoid infection, carry out primary infection prevention. It includes the following measures:
- Use barrier methods of protection against accidental sexual contact.
- If you suspect any STI, you should immediately consult a doctor and not self-medicate.
- Perform cosmetic and gynecological procedures only with processed or disposable instruments.
To avoid complications, secondary prophylaxis is performed. It consists in the strict implementation of doctor's prescriptions, while treating partners.
What complications are possible with venereal granuloma?
Venereal lymphogranuloma is dangerous for the development of severe complications. Usually they develop in the terminal stage of the disease, in the absence of treatment. With the destruction of the lymph nodes, complications such as paraproctitis, elephantiasis, the appearance of fistulas and adhesions are observed. This leads to intestinal obstruction. If 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.