Whipple Disease Overview
Learn About Whipple Disease
Whipple disease is a rare condition that mainly affects the small intestine. This prevents the small intestine from allowing nutrients to pass into the rest of the body. This is called malabsorption.
Intestinal lipodystrophy; Whipple's disease
Whipple disease is caused by infection with a bacterium called Tropheryma whipplei. The disorder mainly affects white men of middle-age.
Whipple disease is rare. Risk factors are not known.
Symptoms most often start slowly. Joint pain is the most common early symptom. Symptoms of gastrointestinal (GI) infection often occur several years later. Other symptoms may include:
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Darkening of skin in light-exposed areas of the body
- Joint pain in the ankles, knees, elbows, fingers, or other areas
- Memory loss
- Mental changes
- Weight loss
People with Whipple disease need to take long-term antibiotics to cure the infection that may include sites in the brain and central nervous system. An antibiotic called ceftriaxone is given through a vein (IV). It is followed by another antibiotic (such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) taken by mouth for up to 1 year.
If symptoms come back during antibiotic use, the medicines may be changed.
Your provider should closely follow your progress. Symptoms of the disease can return after you finish the treatments. People who remain malnourished will also need to take dietary supplements.
Verena Moos practices in Berlin, Germany. Ms. Moos is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Whipple Disease. Her top areas of expertise are Whipple Disease, Actinomycosis, Malabsorption, and Campylobacter Infection.
Annette Moter practices in Berlin, Germany. Ms. Moter is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Whipple Disease. Her top areas of expertise are Whipple Disease, Actinomycosis, Endocarditis, and Malabsorption.
CHU De Brest
Alain Saraux practices in Brest, France. Mr. Saraux is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Whipple Disease. His top areas of expertise are Whipple Disease, Dry Mouth, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), and Sjogren Syndrome.
If not treated, the condition is most often fatal. Treatment relieves symptoms and can cure the disease.
Complications may include:
- Brain damage
- Heart valve damage (from endocarditis)
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Symptoms return (which may be because of drug resistance)
- Weight loss
Contact your provider if you have:
- Joint pain that does not go away
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
If you are being treated for Whipple disease, contact your provider if:
- Symptoms get worse or do not improve
- Symptoms reappear
- New symptoms develop
Published Date: May 14, 2024
Published By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Aria - Jefferson Health Torresdale, Jefferson Digestive Diseases Network, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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