Whipple disease


Whip·ple dis·ease

(wip'ĕl), a rare condition characterized by steatorrhea, frequently generalized lymphadenopathy, arthritis, fever, and cough; many "foamy" macrophages are found in the jejunal lamina propria; caused by Tropheryma whippleii. May lead to progressive malnutrition, dementia, and if untreated, death.

Whip·ple dis·ease

(wip'el di-zēz') A rare disease characterized by steatorrhea, frequently generalized lymphadenopathy, arthritis, fever, and cough; many "foamy" macrophages are found in the jejunal lamina propria; caused by Tropheryma whippleii.

Whipple disease

(hwip'el) [George Hoyt Whipple, U.S. pathologist, 1878–1976] An infectious disease with gastrointestinal and systemic features caused by the organism Trophermya whippeli. This rare disease resembles idiopathic steatorrhea. Synonym: intestinal lipodystrophy

Treatment

Intensive antibiotic therapy with procaine penicillin followed by maintenance therapy with tetracycline yields good results.

Whipple,

George Hayt, U.S. pathologist and Nobel laureate, 1878-1976. Whipple disease - a rare disease characterized by steatorrhea, frequently generalized lymphadenopathy, arthritis, fever, and cough.