Whipple's disease

Definition of Whipple's disease

At the Whipple's disease it is a very rare disease of the Intestinesthat often come through diarrhea, Weight loss and joint inflammation.

Epidemiology / frequency

The disease occurs very rarely, but at all ages.

root cause

Probably the cause is a certain bacterium called "Tropheryma whippelii"responsible, which, however, occurs everywhere and whose transmission route is not yet known.

Symptoms of Whipple's disease

• diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Joint inflammation
• Abdominal pain with fever and swelling of the lymph nodes

Often times are next to that Gastrointestinal tract other organs attacked, why the disease is also called "systemic"because it can attack the entire body. Both lung, as well as heart and the brain can be affected, but most of all the joints. It is not uncommon for the joint cups to precede those of the intestine.

diagnosis

The diagnosis is made by a small intestine biopsy (Sampling) posed.

therapy

First the patient receives about the vein Antibioticswhich are found not only in the blood but also in the liquor (Brain water) to distribute. He then takes antibiotics in the form of tablets again over a period of 12 months.