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Whipple's disease
Whipple's disease is a rare bacterial infection that primarily affects the gastrointestinal system. It's caused by the bacterium Tropheryma whipplei. This condition can also involve other parts of the body, such as the joints, central nervous system, and heart
Prevalence
N/A
Age of Onset
ICD-10
K90.8+
M14.8*
Inheritance
This condition does not appear to have a clear pattern of inheritance.
5 Facts you should know
FACT
A rare systemic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Tropheryma whipplei
FACT
It was first described by Nobel Prize winner, George Hoyt Whipple, in 1907
FACT
Whipple's disease primarily causes malabsorption
FACT
Weight loss, diarrhea, joint pain, and arthritis are common presenting symptoms
FACT
Whipple's disease is significantly more common in men, with 87% of patients diagnosed being male
Interest over time
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Common signs & symptoms
Abdominal pain
Anorexia
Arthralgia
Arthritis
Cachexia
Depressivity
Developmental regression
Diarrhea
Current treatments
The standard treatment for Whipple disease is a prolonged course of antibiotics to destroy the bacteria that cause the disease. A number of different types, doses, and schedules of antibiotics may be used in an effort to find the best treatment.
Ceftriaxone 2g
or penicillin G are commonly given intravenously as a first option
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX)
taken by mouth for up to 1 year. If symptoms come back during antibiotic use, the antibiotic treatment may be changed