Rare STD Feared In Calgary

CALGARY - Three Calgary patients are undergoing tests for probable cases of a rare sexually transmitted infection that can cause genital mutilation and death, say Alberta Health officials.
As the province faces outbreaks of syphilis and gonorrhea, the local patients are believed to be suffering from an unusual and invasive form of chlamydia called lymphogranuloma venereum, or LGV, which has recently surfaced in Canada.
Experts say the small number of Calgary LGV cases can't be considered an outbreak, but note the disease is alarming because it is more invasive and serious than traditional strains of chlamydia.
SMALL LUMP
Lymphogranuloma venereum typically appears as a small lump on the genitals that often isn't noticed. It can cause scarring and swelling in the genital area and the rectum that can be irreversible except with surgery. In a small number of cases, it can cause a fatal infection of the lining of the brain.
Before 2004, LGV was mainly confined to tropical areas of developing countries, but the disease is now surfacing in North America and Europe. About 38 cases were reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada as of November 2005.
There are no reported cases of the disease in Manitoba, says Manitoba Health. "We are concerned that these things can be introduced because people travel and this has been the experience with other sexually transmitted infections," said Greg Hammond, director of public health and communicable disease control.
from The Winnipeg Sun