Whipple’s disease is a rare form of bacterial infection usually affecting the small intestine. In some cases, it can also affect other organs, such as the heart, lungs, brain, joints and eyes. Although anyone can get the disease, middle-aged male Caucasians are commonly affected with the condition. Whipple’s disease can be fatal when left untreated.
Cause
Whipple’s disease is caused by the bacteria, Tropheryma whipplei (T. whipplei). Infection with the bacteria can cause internal sores, also called lesions, and the thickening of tissues. Villi in the small intestine take on an abnormal, clublike appearance. Villi are small fingerlike projections on the inner lining of the small intestine. Because the intestinal lining is already damaged, the small intestine is unable to absorb nutrients properly, which can cause diarrhea and malnutrition.
Symptoms
Classic symptoms of Whipple’s disease include:
Other less common symptoms may include darkening of the skin, enlargement of the lymph nodes, chronic cough, chest pain, pericarditis—the inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart and heart failure.
In some people with Whipple’s disease, nervous system problems may occur including
Whipple’s disease is diagnosed through a careful evaluation of symptoms, endoscopy, and biopsy with tissue staining. The doctor, to confirm the diagnosis, would recommend testing procedures, such as electron microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.
Electron microscopy is used to view T. whipplei bacteria inside infected cells in the tissue taken through biopsy. An electron microscope has a higher resolution than the regular light microscope. T. whipplei have a unique appearance easily identified by experienced laboratories.
PCR testing can detect and identify extremely low levels of bacterial DNA in tissues and body fluids. The presence of T. whipplei DNA in cerebrospinal fluid is an indication of neurologic Whipple’s disease. PCR testing for Whipple’s disease is relatively new; therefore, results should be supported by PAS staining or electron microscopy.
Treatment
Because the cause of Whipple’s disease is a type of bacteria, it is commonly treated with antibiotics. Treatment may involve long-term antibiotic therapy, which can kill T. whipplei bacteria.
After treatment, the likely outcome for most people with Whipple’s disease is good.
Source: Whipple’s Disease (August 2009). Retrieved on March 1, 2010, from http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/whipple/index.htm.
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Cause
Whipple’s disease is caused by the bacteria, Tropheryma whipplei (T. whipplei). Infection with the bacteria can cause internal sores, also called lesions, and the thickening of tissues. Villi in the small intestine take on an abnormal, clublike appearance. Villi are small fingerlike projections on the inner lining of the small intestine. Because the intestinal lining is already damaged, the small intestine is unable to absorb nutrients properly, which can cause diarrhea and malnutrition.
Symptoms
Classic symptoms of Whipple’s disease include:
joint painJoint pain in Whipple’s disease may persist for years, with or without inflammation, before the appearance of other symptoms.
chronic (long-term) diarrhea
weight loss
abdominal pain and bloating
fever
fatigue
anemia
Other less common symptoms may include darkening of the skin, enlargement of the lymph nodes, chronic cough, chest pain, pericarditis—the inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart and heart failure.
In some people with Whipple’s disease, nervous system problems may occur including
eye (vision) problemsDiagnosis
dementia
facial numbness
headache
muscle weakness or twitching
difficulty walking
memory problems
Whipple’s disease is diagnosed through a careful evaluation of symptoms, endoscopy, and biopsy with tissue staining. The doctor, to confirm the diagnosis, would recommend testing procedures, such as electron microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.
Electron microscopy is used to view T. whipplei bacteria inside infected cells in the tissue taken through biopsy. An electron microscope has a higher resolution than the regular light microscope. T. whipplei have a unique appearance easily identified by experienced laboratories.
PCR testing can detect and identify extremely low levels of bacterial DNA in tissues and body fluids. The presence of T. whipplei DNA in cerebrospinal fluid is an indication of neurologic Whipple’s disease. PCR testing for Whipple’s disease is relatively new; therefore, results should be supported by PAS staining or electron microscopy.
Treatment
Because the cause of Whipple’s disease is a type of bacteria, it is commonly treated with antibiotics. Treatment may involve long-term antibiotic therapy, which can kill T. whipplei bacteria.
After treatment, the likely outcome for most people with Whipple’s disease is good.
Source: Whipple’s Disease (August 2009). Retrieved on March 1, 2010, from http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/whipple/index.htm.
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