Lymphogranuloma venereum - Annual Epidemiological Report for 2021

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

In 2021, 1 124 cases of LGV were reported by 23 EU/EEA Member States. Four countries (Spain, the Netherlands, France and Belgium) accounted for 85% of all notified cases. Almost all cases in 2021 were reported among men who have sex with men; among cases with known HIV status, 43% were HIV positive.

The number of reported cases reached an all-time high in 2019 but declined in 2020 and 2021. The decline is likely the result of the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare-seeking behaviour and testing practices as well as a change in sexual risk behaviour due to reduced social mixing.