[Persistent lymphedema of the penis and scrotum after recurrent episodes of cellulitis and urethritis caused by Chlamydia trachomatis].

A 20 year old man affected by a persistent peno-scrotal lymphedema is reported. This condition followed recurrent attacks of cellulitis and a chronic urethritis. From the urethral discharge we isolated Chlamydia trachomatis and, only during the attacks of cellulitis, Group G Streptococcus. This pathogen cannot be isolated from microflora of the normal urethra and rarely cause cellulitis. In our opinion Chlamydial infection favoured the urethral colonization of Group G Streptococci and their passage in the loose connective tissue of the penis and scrotum. Lymphedema, clinically inapparent before the first attack, become progressively more severe and recurrent attacks took place at intervals without obvious re-exposure to an exogenous source of streptococci. The operative treatment of persistent lymphedema is lymphangiectomy and lymphangioplasty.