Whipple's disease

Alternative names:

intestinal lipodystrophy

Treatment:

Prolonged antibiotic therapy with an agent that can treat cental nervous system infections is used. The reappearance of symptoms may indicate drug-resistant organisms, requiring a change of antibiotics.

Correction of nutritional deficiencies caused by the malabsorption are made with dietary supplements.

Expectations (prognosis):

Without treatment, the condition is usually fatal. Treatment improves the chance of a good outcome.

Complications:

• nutritional deficiencies
• weight loss
• reappearance of symptoms suggesting drug resistance

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if there is persistent abdominal pain and diarrhea.

If being treated for Whipple's disease, call if symptoms worsen (or do not improve), if symptoms reappear, or if new symptoms develop.