Whipple's disease Flashcards
1
Q
What is Whipple’s disease
A
Whipple’s disease is a rare, systemic condition caused by Tropheryma whipplei.
2
Q
Presentation of whipple’s disease?
A
The disease primarily presents with diarrhoea, abdominal pain and joint pain, but can affect any part of the body including the cardiac and nervous systems.
3
Q
Investigations for Whipple’s disease?
A
Whipple’s disease is more common in males.
Diagnosis is with a small bowel biopsy, which shows the presence of acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive macrophages, which are seen to contain the causative bacteria on electron microscop7
4
Q
Management of Whipple’s disease?
A
Treatment is with a long term course of co-trimoxazole.
