[Whipple's disease with normal intestinal histology: rarity or reality?].

Abstract

Whipple's disease has been diagnosed more frequently in recent years as a consequence of better awareness and of improved diagnostic tools. The number of case reports of Whipple's disease without gastrointestinal symptoms and without histological lesions of the intestinal mucosa is increasing. Therefore, the traditional perception of this disease as well as the methods for its diagnosis need to be revised. We report on 2 patients with Whipple's disease who had systemic inflammatory reactions but neither gastrointestinal symptoms nor an abnormal duodenal histology. Whipple's disease was diagnosed on the basis of extraintestinal tissue histology (lymph node, vertebral body) and by polymerase chain reaction, and was treated successfully with antibiotics. Recommendations for diagnostic procedure in Whipple's disease with both typical and atypical clinical presentation are discussed.

• Authors: R Hirsbrunner-Erni, M Altwegg, P A Diener, P M Villiger
• Journal: Schweizerische medizinische Wochenschrift (Schweiz Med Wochenschr) Vol. 130 Issue 47 Pg. 1820-6 (Nov 25 2000) ISSN: 0036-7672 [Print] Switzerland
• Vernacular Title: Morbus Whipple mit normaler Dünndarmhistologie: Rarität oder Realität?
• PMID: 11130148 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents

Topics

• Anti-Bacterial Agents (therapeutic use)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Duodenum (pathology)
• Humans
• Intestinal Mucosa (pathology)
• Lymph Nodes (pathology)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Spine (pathology)
• Whipple Disease (diagnosis, drug therapy, pathology)