Health Care Encyclopedia
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Whipple�s diseaseDefinition: Whipple's disease is a rare condition that causes malabsorption (inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract) due to infection of the intestine.
Alternative Names: Intestinal lipodystrophy
Causes, incidence, and risk factors: Whipple's disease is most likely caused by infection with Tropheryma whippelii. The disorder primarily affects middle-aged white men, and the onset of symptoms is usually slow. Without treatment, it may be fatal. Whipple's disease is extremely rare, and risk factors are unknown.
Signs and tests: Primary tests: - Small bowel biopsy showing infection-fighting cells containing bacteria (other body parts can also be biopsied)
- Complete blood count (CBC) showing anemia
This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:
Treatment: Patients should receive prolonged antibiotic therapy with a drug that can treat infections of the brain and central nervous system. If symptoms reappear during therapy, patients may require a change in their antibiotic regimen. Relapses can occur after therapy has been completed, requiring close patient monitoring. Patients who experience nutritional deficiencies caused by the malabsorption will receive treatment with appropriate dietary supplements.
Expectations (prognosis): Without treatment, the condition is usually fatal. Treatment improves the chance of a good outcome.
Complications: - Nutritional deficiencies
- Weight loss
- Reappearance of symptoms, suggesting drug resistance
Calling your health care provider: Call your health care provider if you have persistent abdominal pain and diarrhea. If you are being treated for Whipple's disease, call your health care provider if symptoms worsen or do not improve, if symptoms reappear, or if new symptoms develop.
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| Review Date: 10/25/2004
Reviewed By: Daniel Levy, M.D., Ph.D., Infectious Diseases, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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