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Whipple’s disease

Definition:
Whipple's disease is a rare condition that causes malabsorption (inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract) due to infection of the intestine.

Alternative Names:
Intestinal lipodystrophy

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Whipple's disease is most likely caused by infection with Tropheryma whippelii. The disorder primarily affects middle-aged white men, and the onset of symptoms is usually slow. Without treatment, it may be fatal.

Whipple's disease is extremely rare, and risk factors are unknown.



Review Date: 12/27/2002
Reviewed By: Eleftherios Mylonakis, M.D., Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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