Whipple’s disease is a rare bacterial infection caused by the bacteria called Tropheryma whipelii. The condition can affect any organ of the body, including the heart, lungs, brain, joints, and eyes. However, Whipple’s disease typically affects the small intestine. The infection can cause lesions to appear on the wall of the small intestine. Consequently, the intestinal wall thickens, thus affecting the way it absorbs important nutrients.
Whipple’s disease can cause weight loss and incomplete breakdown of fats and carbohydrates. In addition, the condition can causes the immune system to malfaunction.
When it is left untreated, Whipple’s disease can be serious and even fatal. However, with early detection, the condition can be successfully treated with antibiotics.
Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of Whipple’s disease depend on the organs involved. However, many signs and symptoms of the disease involve the digestive system, which include:
Diagnosis
In addition to knowing about your symptoms, family and medical history, and results of physical exam, your doctor may also perform a biopsy of tissue sample from your small intestine or other organs that are affected.
Your doctor may also recommend other imaging procedures to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatment involves antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria that caused the disease. Your doctor will determine which type of antibiotics, what dose, and how often you take them.
For more serious cases, treatment may also include fluid and electrolyte replacement. Electrolytes are important substances needed by the body to function properly.
Because needed vitamins and minerals are not fully absorbed, your health care provider may recommend that you take extra iron, folate, vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium.
It may take up to 2 years for the small intestine to fully recover. However, symptoms usually disappear in lesser time. Relapse is common even after successful treatment. Your doctor or health care provider may need to monitor your condition for several years.
Reference: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (September 2004). NIH Publication No. 04—4685. Retrieved: April 2009.
Page Last Revised: February 7, 2011
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Whipple’s disease can cause weight loss and incomplete breakdown of fats and carbohydrates. In addition, the condition can causes the immune system to malfaunction.
When it is left untreated, Whipple’s disease can be serious and even fatal. However, with early detection, the condition can be successfully treated with antibiotics.
Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of Whipple’s disease depend on the organs involved. However, many signs and symptoms of the disease involve the digestive system, which include:
DiarrheaArthritis and fever often occur several years before intestinal symptoms develop. Some people with the disease may have neurological symptoms as well.
Intestinal bleeding
Abdominal pain
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Fatigue
Weakness
Diagnosis
In addition to knowing about your symptoms, family and medical history, and results of physical exam, your doctor may also perform a biopsy of tissue sample from your small intestine or other organs that are affected.
Your doctor may also recommend other imaging procedures to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatment involves antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria that caused the disease. Your doctor will determine which type of antibiotics, what dose, and how often you take them.
For more serious cases, treatment may also include fluid and electrolyte replacement. Electrolytes are important substances needed by the body to function properly.
Because needed vitamins and minerals are not fully absorbed, your health care provider may recommend that you take extra iron, folate, vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium.
It may take up to 2 years for the small intestine to fully recover. However, symptoms usually disappear in lesser time. Relapse is common even after successful treatment. Your doctor or health care provider may need to monitor your condition for several years.
Reference: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (September 2004). NIH Publication No. 04—4685. Retrieved: April 2009.
Page Last Revised: February 7, 2011
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