Whipple Disease – What is Whipple Disease?
If you are experiencing symptoms of Whipple disease, you probably want to know how to diagnose this disease and how to treat it. You may also be wondering if Whipple disease is curable and what is the prognosis for the disease. The good news is that there are many treatments available. You may be able to find some relief if you begin treatment as soon as possible.
How is Whipple disease diagnosed?
Whipple disease is a serious bacterial infection that can have a range of complications. Treatment generally involves an aggressive course of antibiotics for two weeks. It is also recommended to take a high-calorie diet and take iron and folate supplements. The disease can be fatal if it is not treated properly.
Diagnosis of Whipple disease begins with careful evaluation of symptoms and physical examination. Tests may include an endoscopy and tissue staining. Electron microscopy or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) may also be performed to confirm the diagnosis. In some cases, a biopsy of the lining of the small intestine will be performed.
Diagnosing Whipple disease is important because if left untreated, the symptoms may last forever. Treatment aims to prevent the symptoms from returning and prevent the disease from progressing. Patients must be monitored carefully for signs of recurrence of the symptoms.
How is Whipple disease transmitted?
Whipple disease is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium avium complex. The bacteria can infect people and cause a range of symptoms, from diarrhea to abdominal pain. The disease affects the body’s digestive system, causing it to become inflamed and unable to absorb nutrients. This results in pain in the ribs and the abdominal cavity and can cause anemia. Some people also develop darker skin.
Diagnosis of Whipple disease begins with a medical history and physical examination. The doctor may check for enlarged lymph glands or swelling in the body. Biopsies of tissues from different parts of the digestive tract are also taken. These samples are then microscopically examined to see if they contain the bacteria that cause the disease.
Can Whipple disease be cured?
The symptoms of WD have been known for over a century, but there is no known cure for the disease. It is characterized by loss of weight and stools rich in fatty acids and neutral fats. The symptoms are often accompanied by an accumulation of macrophages in the lamina propria, a tissue that is often inflamed by the infection. Other diseases with similar symptoms include HIV infection, tuberculosis, and rheumatic diseases.
The first step in treating Whipple disease is to begin an aggressive course of antibiotics. This treatment can include up to two weeks of IV antibiotics as well as daily oral antibiotics for one to two years. The disease is caused by a bacterial infection and is potentially fatal if not treated properly. However, if properly treated, the symptoms usually subside in a month or two. However, the disease can recur and patients may have to take more antibiotics.
What is the prognosis for Whipple disease?
The primary treatment for Whipple disease involves an aggressive course of antibiotics. The antibiotics may include penicillin, streptomycin, or erythromycin. Treatment usually eliminates the symptoms of the condition, although relapses do occur. Antibiotics must penetrate the blood-brain barrier in order to effectively treat the disease. After a month or two of treatment, the bowel will return to normal and the disease will usually clear up.
A physical examination and medical history can help doctors diagnose the condition. During the examination, your doctor may look for enlarged lymph glands, a murmur in the heart, and swelling in body tissues. Once the diagnosis is made, your doctor may perform a biopsy of the affected organ. He or she may also conduct a PCR test on a sample of tissue to determine the cause of the condition.
Is Whipple disease fatal?
Whipple disease is caused by a bacterium known as Tropheryma whipplei. While scientists are not entirely sure how people get infected with this bacteria, it is often found in water and soil. This is why many cases of the disease have been associated with construction or agricultural workers.
Treatment for Whipple disease involves antibiotics, which can destroy the bacteria causing the illness. In severe cases, a person may need IV fluids or extra vitamins and minerals to help the body recover from the infection. Antibiotics can take up to two weeks to work. However, relapses can occur weeks to months after the initial treatment. This is because the antibiotics must penetrate the blood-brain barrier. In the meantime, the mucosa reverts back to normal and the bacteria have time to reproduce.
Whipple disease is a chronic bacterial infection of the colon. It was first described in a 1907 report and characterized by a progressive loss of weight and stools that contained neutral fats and fatty acids. In 1949, it was renamed Whipple’s disease. Other characteristic features include the accumulation of macrophages in the lamina propria and intensely periodic acid-Schiff-positive intracellular material.
