Lymphogranuloma venereum - Annual Epidemiological Report for 2022

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a systemic sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by Chlamydia trachomatis serovars L1, L2, or L3.

In 2022, 2 059 cases of LGV were reported by 23 EU/EEA Member States, an increase by 58% in comparison with 2021 (when 1302 cases were reported in the 23 countries). Four countries (Spain, the Netherlands, France, and Belgium) accounted for 84% of all notified cases.

Almost all the cases in 2022 were reported among men who have sex with men (MSM); among cases with known HIV status, 37% were HIV-positive. Between 2018 and 2022, the proportion of LGV cases with HIV-negative status increased, from 47% in 2018 to 69% in 2022. This a likely indication of changes in clinical guidelines’ recommendations and regular testing of MSM using pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV.