Periappendicitis and chlamydial salpingitis

Abstract

Periappendicitis seems to be a novel manifestation of infections with Chlamydia trachomatis. In seven of 112 women with laparoscopically verified acute salpingitis, secondary appendicitis was diagnosed and histologically confirmed. The genital tract in all seven patients harbored Chlamydia trachomatis but not Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The fallopian tubes should be scrutinized when an inflamed appendix is removed from a sexually active woman. Signs of salpingitis should then lead to appropriate microbiologic, therapeutic and epidemiologic measures, including contact tracing.