Whipple's Disease

Whipple's disease is a malabsorption disease. It interferes with the body's ability to absorb certain nutrients. (Read about "Digestive System") The disease can cause:

• weight loss
• irregular breakdown of carbohydrates and fats
• resistance to insulin
• malfunctions of the immune system. (Read about "The Immune System")

When recognized and treated, Whipple's disease can be cured. Untreated, the disease can be fatal.

Whipple's disease is caused by the bacterium Tropheryma whipplei (Read about "Microorganisms"), according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). It can affect any system of the body, but occurs most often in the small intestine. The disease causes lesions on the wall of the small intestine and thickening of the tissue. The villi - tiny, finger-like protrusions from the wall that help absorb nutrients - are destroyed.

Symptoms include:

• diarrhea (Read about "Diarrhea")
• intestinal bleeding (Read about "Gastrointestinal Bleeding")
• abdominal bloating and cramps
• loss of appetite
• weight loss
• fatigue and weakness

Arthritis (Read about "Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases") and fever often occur several years before intestinal symptoms develop.

Diagnosis is based on symptoms and results of a biopsy of tissue from the small intestine. (Read about "Biopsy")

NIDDK says Whipple's disease is treated with antibiotics (Read about "Antibiotics") to destroy the bacteria that cause the disease. The physician may use a number of different types, doses and schedules of antibiotics to find the best treatment. Depending on the seriousness of the disease, treatment may also include fluid and electrolyte replacement. Electrolytes are salts and other substances in body fluid that the heart and brain (Read about "The Brain") need to function properly. Extra iron, folate, vitamin D, calcium (Read about "Vitamins & Minerals" "Calcium") and magnesium may also be given to help compensate for the vitamins and minerals the body is not absorbing on its own.

Symptoms usually disappear after 1 to 3 months of treatment. Because relapse is common even after successful treatment, the healthcare team may continue to observe patients for some time.