Whipple disease is a rare bacterial infection that most commonly occurs in your gastrointestinal system. It interferes with your bodies ability to properly breakdown and digest foods, further hindering the ability for the body to get the nutrients it needs.
What causes Whipple Disease?
Whipple disease is caused by a bacteria called Tropheryma whipplei. It often begins in the mucosal lining of your small intestines and forms lesions within your intestinal wall. Without treatment it then spreads to other parts of the body.
The bacterium that causes whipple disease is readily present in the environment. Researcher’s however don’t know yet where it comes from and how it is transmitted to humans. They have concluded that not everyone who carries the bacterium will develop the disease. It appears that those who go have some sort of genetic defect present in their immune system that makes them more susceptible to becoming ill then others.
What are the Risk factors of this disease?
Since minimal information is known about the disease it is hard to determine what valid risk factors may be. Based on the information researcher’s have it appears to mainly affect men, between the ages of 40 and 60, who are Caucasian and live in North America and Europe.
How is Whipple Disease Diagnosed?
Doctors will use up to three test to diagnosis this condition. They will begin with a physical exam. They will be looking for signs of abdominal tenderness, and darkening skin. They then may choose to do a biopsy of the tissue from the small intestine. Your doctor may order a blood test or DNA based test called polymerase chain reaction.
How is Whipple Disease Treated?
Whipple disease is treatable with antibiotics. The treatment process is long-term and can last up to two years. Relief from symptoms can come much quicker, but the long range antibiotic therapy is needed to eradicate the bacteria from the body entirely. Since a patient is prescribed antibiotics for such a period of time their doctor will carefully monitor them for any development of resistance to the drugs.
Whipple disease can create issues in your body properly absorbing the nutrients it needs, therefore your doctor may recommend a vitamin or mineral supplement to ensure adequate nutrition levels.
Source: Whipple Disease