Pathogenesis (disease development)
Tropheryma whippelii has been detected in sewage treatment plants and in the stools of sewage treatment plant workers, as well as in the stools of healthy individuals. Human-to-human transmission has not yet been observed. Exactly how infection occurs is still the subject of studies.
It is assumed that only people with impaired T-cell function contract Whipple’s disease. Familial clusters are observed. Approximately 26% of patients are also HLA-B27 positive.
Infection with the pathogen leads to lipodystrophia intestinalis or lipophagic intestinal granulomatosis.
Etiology (Causes)
Concomitant Circumstances
Blood, hematopoietic organs – immune system (D50-D90).
- Impaired T-cell function, unspecified – unclear whether this is a prerequisite or consequence of the infection
