Whipple's Disease
Also known as: Malabsorption
Syndrome
What is it?
Whipple's disease is a rare intestinal disease.
Who gets it?
Whipple's disease mainly affects men in the age range of 30 to
60.
What causes it?
Whipple's disease is caused by the organism Tropheryma whippelii. It causes a severe infection in the lining of the small intestine, which can spread to the heart, lung, brain, joints, and
eyes.
What are the symptoms?
Those with Whipple's disease suffer from severe intestinal malabsorption, which means foods are not properly digested by the small intestine and nutrients are not absorbed into the bloodstream. This results in weight loss, anemia, and malnutrition. Other symptoms of Whipple's disease include darkened skin; painful, inflamed joints; diarrhea; light-colored, soft, bulky, and foul smelling stool (called steatorrhea); arthritis; abdominal pain; cough; and enlarged lymph nodes in the chest. Chest pain can occur if fluid collects in the lungs and the membranes covering the lungs, the pleura, become inflamed. People with Whipple's disease develop heart murmurs if the infection reaches the heart, and liver enlargement if the infection reaches the liver. If the infection spreads to the brain, the patient may appear confused, forgetful, or may move the eyes
uncontrollably.
How is it diagnosed?
Whipple's disease is diagnosed through a tissue sample (biopsy) of the small intestine, or of an enlarged lymph
node.
What is the treatment?
If untreated, Whipple's disease can be fatal. It can be cured, however, with antibiotics such as penicillin, tetracycline, sulfasalazine, and ampicillin. While symptoms improve quickly, it may take up to two years for complete healing. Whipple's disease can occur again in the same
patient.
Self-care tips
Because Whipple's disease can severely damage the small intestine and spread to other organs, it is important to seek immediate treatment of these symptoms.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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