Whipple’s disease
Definition
Whipple's disease is a rare condition in which infection makes the intestine unable to properly absorb nutrients. This is called malabsorption.
Alternative Names
Intestinal lipodystrophyCauses
Whipple's disease is most likely caused by infection with Tropheryma whippelii. The disorder primarily affects middle-aged white men, and the onset of symptoms is usually slow. Without treatment, it may be fatal.
Whipple's disease is extremely rare, and risk factors are unknown.
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