Whipple’s disease is a very rare disease of the intestine, which often manifests itself as diarrhea, weight loss and joint inflammation. The disease occurs very rarely, but at any age.
Cause
Probably a certain bacterium called “Tropheryma whippelii” is responsible for this, but it is found everywhere and its transmission route is not yet known. Often other organs besides the gastrointestinal tract are affected, which is why the disease is also called “systemic”, since it can attack the entire body. The lungs, heart and brain can be affected, but especially the joints. It is not uncommon for the joint complaints to precede those of the intestine.
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Arthritis
- Abdominal pain with fever and swelling of lymph nodes
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is made by a biopsy of the small intestine (sample collection).
Therapy
First, the patient receives antibiotics via the vein, which are distributed not only in the blood but also in the cerebrospinal fluid (cerebral fluid). Then, over a period of 12 months, the patient takes antibiotics again in the form of tablets.
