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

The cause is probably a bacterial infection, Tropheryma whippelii . The disease affects primarily 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 be also be biopsied)

Complete blood count (CBC) showing

anemia This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

Fecal fat

D-xylose absorption

Albumin

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 there is persistent abdominal pain and diarrhea . If being treated for Whipple's disease, call if symptoms worsen (or do not improve), if symptoms reappear or if new symptoms develop.