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Alternative names
Intestinal lipodystrophyDefinition Return to top
Whipple's disease is a rare condition that causes malabsorption (inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract) due to infection of the intestine.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
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.
Symptoms Return to top
Signs and tests Return to top
Primary tests:Treatment Return to top
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) Return to top
Without treatment, the condition is usually fatal. Treatment improves the chance of a good outcome.Complications Return to top
Calling your health care provider Return to top
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.
Update Date: 12/27/2002 Updated by: Eleftherios Mylonakis, M.D., Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |