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Whipple’s Disease: Case Report

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Whipple’s disease (WD) is a rare systemic bacterial infection caused by Tropheryma whipplei, with an estimated incidence of one to three cases per million inhabitants. It commonly presents with persistent arthralgia, chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss, potentially affecting other systems, such as the neurological and cardiovascular systems. We report the case of a 41-year-old female patient with abdominal and pelvic pain, intermittent diarrhea, arthralgia, myalgia, night sweats, and unintentional weight loss of 5 kg over a short period. Initially, mesenteric lymphadenopathy raised suspicion of sarcoidosis. However, a duodenal biopsy revealed periodic acid-schiff (PAS)-positive macrophages, confirming the diagnosis of WD. The patient was treated with intravenous ceftriaxone, followed by oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) for one year. WD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of malabsorption syndromes and multisystemic diseases, given its progressive course and the potential benefit of early treatment.

Source: SPMI CASE REPORTS

DOI: 10.60591/crspmi.424

Authors: Demeneghi Martini, Greicy, Ribeiro, Gustavo Torquato, Priesnitz Friedrich, Leonardo, Messagi Caldeira, Giovanna, Leonardi Baldisserotto, Hugo

Institutions: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre

Language: English

Topic: Whipple's Disease and Interleukins

Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W7107945756

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