Whipple’s Disease Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Whipple’s disease is a disease caused by a bacterial infection. This disease is quite rare and rare. The problems caused by this disease often attack the digestive tract. However, there is also the potential to cause infection in other organs.
This disease is more common in men aged 40–60 years. If not treated properly, this disease can worsen and become life-threatening.
Symptoms
There are four main symptoms of Whipple’s disease, namely arthralgia or joint pain, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss. In addition, various other symptoms can arise, such as fatty or bloody bowel movements, cramps or a feeling of bloating in the stomach, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, fatigue, and darker skin.
There may also be symptoms related to the nervous system. For example, visual disturbances, memory problems, behavior changes, facial numbness, headaches, muscle weakness or twitching of the muscles, difficulty walking, loss of hearing or ringing in the ears, and dementia. Other symptoms that may be felt, although rare, are chronic cough, chest pain, pericarditis or inflammation of the lining covering the heart, and heart failure.
A person with Whipple’s disease can be malnourished due to damage to the intestinal villi so that absorption of food becomes less effective. If left for a long time, the person can experience long-term nutritional deficiencies, damage to the heart and heart valves, and damage to the brain.
Reason
Whipple’s disease is caused by infection with the Tropheryma whipplei bacterium. This infection causes injury to the inner wall of the small intestine, thickening of the tissue, and damage to the villi (the part of the intestine that functions to help absorb nutrients from food).
This disease is more common in farmers, those who work outdoors, and those who have frequent contact with soil and wastewater. It is not certain how the T. whipplei bacteria infects a person, but it is found that:
- This bacterium is found in soil and wastewater
- The bacteria are also found in human carriers of Whipple’s disease (healthy humans who carry the bacteria in their bodies but show no signs and symptoms of the disease).
- Whipple’s disease is passed from person to person
Diagnosis
Determination of the diagnosis of Whipple’s disease is obtained based on detailed medical interviews, physical examination, and supporting examinations on the patient. Through a series of examinations, doctors can try to rule out diseases with Whipple-like symptoms, such as inflammatory rheumatoid disease, celiac disease, neurological problems, intra-abdominal lymphoma, and Mycobacterium avium complex.
Investigations that may be carried out include:
- Blood test. The aim is to assess malabsorption (due to intestinal villi damage), electrolyte abnormalities (due to diarrhea), anemia (due to lack of nutrition), and T. Whipplei DNA.
- Endoscopy and biopsy of the intestine.
Treatment
Whipple’s disease can be treated with antibiotics. During the first two weeks of treatment, antibiotics may be administered by intravenous injection. Types of antibiotics that may be used include ceftriaxone, meropenem, penicillin G, and streptomycin.
After that, oral antibiotics (antibiotics taken) are needed which are consumed in the long term. The consumption time can reach one to two years. Antibiotics that may be given are trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole or doxycycline. You will need to finish this treatment to ensure that all T. whipplei bacteria in your body have been destroyed. A person may feel healthy or cured, even though the bacteria are still present in their body.
Even with treatment, Whipple’s disease can come back. Relapses can occur even after years of completing treatment. If the disease recurs, it requires repeated treatment. Re-treatment can be by adding the type of antibiotic consumed or using a new type of antibiotic.
Prevention
Maintaining the immune system is one of the efforts that can be made to prevent Whipple’s disease. Especially if you are a group of people who often work outdoors and have a lot of contact with water, soil and waste.
Complete your immune system by taking good multi-vitamin, vitamin D and mineral supplements such as folic acid, calcium, iron and magnesium. The goal is to make sure you are getting enough nutrition.