Nassau County Department of Health officials have confirmed that a county resident has been diagnosed with Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV), a rare STD that is a form of chlamydia. The case is Nassau's first and one of seven found across the nation.

Two New York City men were diagnosed in early February with LGV, which can be treated with antibiotics if detected early. The men in all three New York cases are HIV-positive and reported multiple sex partners. Three other cases have been diagnosed in San Francisco, and one in Atlanta.

Symptoms of LGV can include rectal pain, bleeding and sores. LGV is difficult to diagnose and can increase the risk of HIV transmission. The key risk factor for the spread of LGV is unprotected anal intercourse.

In the past two decades, LGV has been uncommon in industrialized countries and is primarily found in the tropics. But in November 2004, the National Institute for Public Health in the Netherlands reported 92 cases of LGV among gay and bisexual men during the preceding year, compared with the usual two or three cases. LGV has also been found in the United Kingdom.

Officials from Nassau and Suffolk counties were planning a Monday meeting to discuss the public health threat of LGV as well as the resurgence of high-risk sexual behavior.

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