Home > Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders > Whipple's Disease

Definition

Whipple's disease is a rare infectious disorder that can affect many areas of the body, including the gastrointestinal and central nervous systems. Caused by the bacteria Tropheryma whipplei, it is typically diagnosed from malabsorption symptoms such as diarrhea and weight loss. If the central nervous system is infected, Whipple's disease can cause impairment of mental faculties and lead to dementia. It can be treated successfully with antibiotic therapy, but up to a third of patients suffer relapse.

Description

Whipple's disease, also known as intestinal lipodystrophy, was first reported in 1907 by George Hoyt Whipple (1878–1976). An autopsy on a thirty-seven year old male missionary revealed a granular accumulation of...