Question

What is Whipple's disease?

Answer 1

Whipple's disease:

1. Whipple's disease is a rare bacterial infection which most often affects your joints and digestive system.
2. Whipple's disease interferes with normal digestion by impairing the breakdown of foods and hampering your body's ability to absorb nutrients, like fats and carbohydrates.
3. Whipple's disease is caused by the bacterium Tropheryma whipplei.
4. Main symptoms include arthritis, weight loss, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
5. Diagnosis is by a small-bowel biopsy.