TWO YOUNG PATIENTS WITH CHLAMYDIAL PERITONITIS PRESENTING WITH ACUTE ABDOMEN

Peritonitis caused by Chlamydia trachomatis can seldom present with violent abdominal pain when it occurs in young women. Here two cases of chlamydia peritonitis presenting with acute abdomen in young women are reported.Case 1 was an 18-year-old woman with severe right and lower abdominal pain. Case 2 was a 19-year-old woman with lower abdominal pain. Both of them were suspected of perforative appendicitis and underwent laparotomy. Odorless and yellowish-red ascites was found but their appendices lacked in inflammatory findings. Chlamydial peritonitis in two cases was confirmed by serum chlamydia IgG antibody and IgA antibody being >128 and >16 respectively. Case 1 was diagnosed as Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome based on elevation in GOT and GPT observed at the onset of the symptons, as well as clinical findings. In young women presenting with severe lower abdominal pain, chlamydial peritonitis may be a possible underlying disease, and confirm this, determination of serum chlamydial antibodies are necessary.