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Kucharz EJ, Kramza J, Grosicka A, Pieczyrak R. Clinical manifestations of Whipple's disease mimicking rheumatic disorders. Reumatologia 2021; 59:104-10. [PMID: 33976464 DOI: 10.5114/reum.2021.105418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Whipple’s disease is a rare, chronic, systemic disorder caused by Tropheryma whipplei infection. The most common symptoms are weight loss, arthralgia, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Other organ involvement can also occur in the patients. Joint manifestations may mimic rheumatoid arthritis or spondyloarthritis. Arthalgia, arthritis, spondylodiscitis, bursitis and/or tenosynovitis are seen in the majority of the patients. This explains why some of the symptoms are misdiagnosed as those of rheumatic diseases. Understanding of Whipple’s disease is important for differential diagnostics of several rheumatic symptoms.
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Schiepatti A, Nicolardi ML, Marone P, Biagi F. Long-term morbidity and mortality in Whipple's disease: a single-center experience over 20 years. Future Microbiol 2020; 15:847-854. [PMID: 32662657 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2019-0315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Little is known about long-term morbidity and mortality in Whipple's disease (WD). Aim: To describe morbidity and mortality in patients with WD on a long-term follow-up. Materials & methods: Comorbidities, mortality and causes of death were retrospectively registered. Results: A total of 35 patients with WD (9F, 54 ± 11 years) were followed-up for a median of 104 months. Nine patients developed ten complications; three patients died. A total of 31 severe comorbidities apparently unrelated to WD were found in 20 patients: preneoplastic/neoplastic disorders in seven, thromboembolic and cardiovascular events in seven, pneumonia in four, candidiasis in ten patients. Conclusion: WD is frequently complicated by potentially life-threatening infectious, neoplastic and thromboembolic disorders, thus highlighting the need for a life-long multidisciplinary follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Schiepatti
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Gastroenterology Unit of Pavia Institute, University of Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Nicolardi
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Gastroenterology Unit of Pavia Institute, University of Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy
| | - Piero Marone
- Department of Microbiology & Virology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia 27100, Italy
| | - Federico Biagi
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Gastroenterology Unit of Pavia Institute, University of Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Edouard
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
| | - Léa Luciani
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Lagier
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
| | - Didier Raoult
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
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Dolmans RA, Boel CH, Lacle MM, Kusters JG. Clinical Manifestations, Treatment, and Diagnosis of Tropheryma whipplei Infections. Clin Microbiol Rev 2017; 30:529-55. [PMID: 28298472 DOI: 10.1128/CMR.00033-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Whipple's disease is a rare infectious disease that can be fatal if left untreated. The disease is caused by infection with Tropheryma whipplei, a bacterium that may be more common than was initially assumed. Most patients present with nonspecific symptoms, and as routine cultivation of the bacterium is not feasible, it is difficult to diagnose this infection. On the other hand, due to the generic symptoms, infection with this bacterium is actually quite often in the differential diagnosis. The gold standard for diagnosis used to be periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining of duodenal biopsy specimens, but PAS staining has a poor specificity and sensitivity. The development of molecular techniques has resulted in more convenient methods for detecting T. whipplei infections, and this has greatly improved the diagnosis of this often missed infection. In addition, the molecular detection of T. whipplei has resulted in an increase in knowledge about its pathogenicity, and this review gives an overview of the new insights in epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of Tropheryma whipplei infections.
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Tun NT, Shukla S, Krishnakurup J, Pappachen B, Krishnamurthy M, Salib H. An unusual cause of pancytopenia: Whipple's disease. J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect 2014; 4:23482. [PMID: 24765256 PMCID: PMC3992356 DOI: 10.3402/jchimp.v4.23482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2013] [Revised: 01/12/2014] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Whipple's disease is a systemic infectious disease caused by the bacteria Tropheryma whipplei. The most common clinical manifestations of Whipple's disease are weight loss (92%), hypoalbuminemia and steatorrhea (91%, respectively), diarrhea (72%), arthralgia (67%), and abdominal pain (55%). Neurological signs and symptoms from dementia to oculomasticatory myorhythmia or oculofacioskeletal myorhythmia (pathognomonic of Whipple's disease), lymphadenopathy, and fatigue can also be present. Pancytopenia is a rare and less recognized clinical feature in Whipple's disease patients. We are describing a case where a middle-aged Caucasian male diagnosed with Whipple's disease was found to have pancytopenia. Etiology of pancytopenia is postulated to be due to the invasion of bone marrow by T. whipplei. It is important to recognize that bone marrow involvement by the Whipple bacillus is not uncommon. In the presence of lymphadenopathy and pancytopenia, clinicians should think of Whipple's disease as a differential diagnosis apart from lymphoma or other non-specific granulomatous reticuloendothelial disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nay T Tun
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Easton Hospital, Residency Program, Affiliated with Drexel University, Easton, PA, USA
| | - Shwetanshu Shukla
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Easton Hospital, Residency Program, Affiliated with Drexel University, Easton, PA, USA
| | - Jaykrishnan Krishnakurup
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Easton Hospital, Residency Program, Affiliated with Drexel University, Easton, PA, USA
| | - Binu Pappachen
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Easton Hospital, Residency Program, Affiliated with Drexel University, Easton, PA, USA
| | - Mahesh Krishnamurthy
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Easton Hospital, Residency Program, Affiliated with Drexel University, Easton, PA, USA
| | - Hayman Salib
- Hematology and Oncology Department, School of Medicine, Easton Hospital, Easton, PA, USA
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Lyle PL, Weber RD, Bogarin J, Kircher T. Reversible pulmonary hypertension in Whipple disease: a case report with clinicopathological implications, and literature review. BMJ Case Rep 2009; 2009:bcr06.2008.0095. [PMID: 21686934 DOI: 10.1136/bcr.06.2008.0095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Whipple disease is a rare multisystemic disorder of infectious aetiology caused by Tropheryma whipplei. Pulmonary hypertension is a rare association for which the underlying pathophysiological mechanism is unclear. Our patient was a 54-year-old man with a 1-year history of progressive polyarticular arthritis, and worsening respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. Pulmonary artery catheterisation demonstrated moderate-to-severe pulmonary hypertension. Duodenal biopsies, with electron microscopy, were diagnostic of Whipple disease. Involvement by Whipple disease was also evident in the stomach, bone marrow and pulmonary pleura. A 2-week course of intravenous ceftriaxone was initiated and this was followed by a 1-year course of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (160/800), once daily. Nine months into antibiotic treatment, a repeat echocardiogram showed normalisation of the size and function of the cardiac chambers, including the right atrium and right ventricle. There was complete resolution of the severe tricuspid insufficiency and pulmonary hypertension. Whipple disease is not generally considered as a possible cause of pulmonary hypertension but such awareness is important given that it may be potentially reversible with antibiotic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela L Lyle
- Penrose Hospital, Pathology, 2222 North Nevada Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80907, USA
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Schneider T, Moos V, Loddenkemper C, Marth T, Fenollar F, Raoult D. Whipple's disease: new aspects of pathogenesis and treatment. Lancet Infect Dis 2008; 8:179-90. [PMID: 18291339 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(08)70042-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
100 years after its first description by George H Whipple, the diagnosis and treatment of Whipple's disease is still a subject of controversy. Whipple's disease is a chronic multisystemic disease. The infection is very rare, although the causative bacterium, Tropheryma whipplei, is ubiquitously present in the environment. We review the epidemiology of Whipple's disease and the recent progress made in the understanding of its pathogenesis and the biology of its agent. The clinical features of Whipple's disease are non-specific and sensitive diagnostic methods such as PCR with sequencing of the amplification products and immunohistochemistry to detect T whipplei are still not widely distributed. The best course of treatment is not completely defined, especially in relapsing disease, neurological manifestations, and in cases of immunoreconstitution after initiation of antibiotic treatment. Patients without the classic symptoms of gastrointestinal disease might be misdiagnosed or insufficiently treated, resulting in a potentially fatal outcome or irreversible neurological damage. Thus, we suggest procedures for the improvement of diagnosis and an optimum therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Schneider
- Medical Department I, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
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Abstract
Whipple disease is a chronic, relapsing, and multisystem disease. It presents a diagnostic challenge for both clinicians and pathologists. Recent advances in isolation and culture have identified the organism responsible for the disease to be a member of the order Actinomycetes designated Tropheryma whipplei. Several immune system changes have been noted in patients with Whipple disease, but whether these are primary or secondary is as yet undetermined. Long-term antibiotic therapy is required, and relapses are common, especially with central nervous system involvement.
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Abstract
The 68-year-old male patient complained of weight loss and -- since 15 years -- of arthralgias and had renal insufficiency and an aortic stenosis. Despite the lack of intestinal symptoms, M. Whipple could be diagnosed, being responsible for his symptoms and clinical signs. Under antibiotic and supportive treatment the patient recovered uneventfully.Whipple's disease, otherwise known as intestinal lipodystrophy, is a disease with various signs and symptoms. The principal signs are rheumatic complaints and weight loss. By contrast, there may be absolutely no gastrointestinal symptoms even at an advanced stage of the disease. The generally chronic clinical course of the disease may worsen acutely and may prove fatal. Symptoms frequently occur not simultaneously but successively. Diagnostically, it is crucial to consider the possibility of infection with Tropheryma whippelii primarily if the patient presents with multi-organ symptoms. The disease is easy to diagnose by taking bioptic samples endoscopically -- even in the absence of intestinal symptoms -- and antibiotic treatment is generally successful. However, permanent organic lesions must be anticipated.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Kleine
- Medizinische Klink, Enzkreis-Kliniken Mühlacker.
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Abstract
Whipple's disease (WD) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease of infectious origin caused by Tropheryma whipplei (TW). Abdominal pain and recurrent diarrhea are usually the main symptoms leading to the suspicion of a primary bowel disease. Systemic manifestations can mimic hematologic disorders. A 49-year-old man presented with fever, weight loss, long-standing arthralgia, and diarrhea. A duodenal biopsy was unremarkable. Bone marrow histology provided no evidence of a malignant hematological disorder but revealed noncaseating granulomas. TW was detected in the bone marrow trephine by polymerase chain reaction. This is the first report to describe TW-associated granulomatous myelitis as the initially recognized organ manifestation of WD, proven at the molecular level. This observation is relevant for the differential diagnosis of patients with systemic symptoms and granulomatous diseases affecting the bone marrow, emphasizing that WD should be considered in cases of unexplained granulomatous myelitis, even when small bowel biopsy specimens are negative.
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