Whipple's Disease

It is a systemic and progressive infectious disease where a rare bacterium called Tropheryma whipplei invades the body's digestive system (especially the small intestine) and other organs, stopping nutrient absorption.

The bacterium settles on the inner wall of the small intestine and causes immune system cells (macrophages) to accumulate there. This causes the intestine to thicken and become unable to absorb food, fat, and vitamins into the blood (Malabsorption).

The disease usually starts with migratory joint pain years before gastrointestinal problems. When the bacteria affect the intestine; chronic watery/fatty diarrhea, cramp-like abdominal pain, severe loss of appetite, weakness, and severe weight loss and skin darkening (pigmentation) due to the inability to absorb what is eaten are seen.

Yes. If it is not diagnosed early, the disease mixes with the blood and progresses to the heart valves (endocarditis) and the central nervous system. When it affects the brain, it can result in dementia, rhythmic cramps in the face/eye muscles, memory loss, and death.

A Gastroenterology specialist enters the small intestine (duodenum) with an Upper Endoscopy (Gastroscopy) and takes a tissue sample (biopsy). The definitive diagnosis is made by seeing the bacteria inside the macrophages as a result of staining this piece with a special dye (PAS stain) in pathology.

This potentially fatal disease can be 100% treated with the right antibiotic. However, because the bacteria is very resistant and can hide in the brain, Antibiotic Treatment, which starts intravenously and then continues orally (pills), must continue uninterrupted for 1 TO 2 YEARS. If the medication is stopped early, the disease relapses from the brain.