Whipple's Disease Flashcards
1
Q
What is Whipple’s Disease?
A
Whipple’s disease is a rare multi-system disorder caused by Tropheryma whippelii infection
It is more common in those who are HLA-B27 positive and in middle-aged men
2
Q
Clinical Features
A
malabsorption: diarrhoea, weight loss
large-joint arthralgia
lymphadenopathy
skin: hyperpigmentation and photosensitivity
pleurisy, pericarditis
neurological symptoms (rare): ophthalmoplegia, dementia, seizures, ataxia, myoclonus
3
Q
Diagnosis
A
jejunal biopsy shows deposition of macrophages containing Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) granules
4
Q
Management
A
oral co-trimoxazole for a year is thought to have the lowest relapse rate
sometimes preceded by a course of IV penicillin
