Abstract

A 63 year old man presented with the signs of acute generalised peritonism in the presence of a clear chest radiograph. At laparotomy no abnormal findings were noted. Further inquiries revealed a history of recent acquisition of budgerigars, over the following days the chest radiograph developed patchy opacification. Subsequently IgG immunofluorescence confirmed the diagnosis of Chlamydia psittaci. The presentation of psittacosis with gastrointestinal features is well recognised. This is believed to be the first account in the literature of a human case of Chl psittaci pneumonia presenting with acute generalised peritonism indicating an exploratory laparotomy. It is suggested that Chl psittaci pneumonia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an acute abdomen in the presence of a history of exposure to psittacine birds.