Whipple's disease

The distinctive element of this condition is the accumulation of lipid and glycoprotein material in the mucosa of the small intestine, in the lymphatic tissues of the mesentery and in the lymph nodes; for this reason, Whipple's disease is also called intestinal lipodystrophy. favor infection are not yet known, but an immunological, acquired or genetic predisposition has been observed.

The clinical picture of Whipple's disease is variable. The effects of the disease have a greater impact on the mucosa of the small intestine, but other organs are also involved, such as the heart, lungs, eyes and brain. Usually, patients who suffer from it experience abdominal pain, fever, weight loss, diarrhea , intestinal malabsorption, skin hyperpigmentation and polyarthralgia.

In most cases, the diagnosis is made through a histopathological evaluation of the infected tissues (intestinal mucosa, lymph nodes, etc.) after biopsy. For confirmation, culture and molecular genetic analyzes, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), may be useful.

Treatment of Whipple's disease relies on the administration of antibiotics to eradicate the bacterium. Once therapy is started, clinical improvement is rapid, with fever and joint pain resolving within days. Intestinal symptoms usually disappear within 1-4 weeks, although histological healing can occur after 2 years.

If not recognized and correctly diagnosed, Whipple's disease can lead to disability or even death.

Whipple's disease mainly affects the small intestine, but does not spare other sites, such as joints, lungs, heart, spleen, liver, kidneys, skeletal muscles and central nervous system.

The main characteristic of the clinical picture is the appearance of a large number of macrophages, loaded with lipids and glycoprotein material, in the mucosa of the small intestine, in the lymphatic tissues of the mesentery and in the lymph nodes. The causes for which this occurs are still unknown and , currently, they are the subject of scientific study.