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Barbado Cano A, Crespo Pérez L, Marín Serrano E, Mora Sanz P. Whipple's disease in the elderly. GASTROENTEROLOGIA Y HEPATOLOGIA 2024; 47:500-501. [PMID: 38072362 DOI: 10.1016/j.gastrohep.2023.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/02/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Barbado Cano
- La Paz University Hospital, Gastroenterology Department, Spain; Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Gastroenterology Department, Spain.
| | - Laura Crespo Pérez
- La Paz University Hospital, Gastroenterology Department, Spain; Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Gastroenterology Department, Spain
| | - Eva Marín Serrano
- La Paz University Hospital, Gastroenterology Department, Spain; Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Gastroenterology Department, Spain
| | - Pedro Mora Sanz
- La Paz University Hospital, Gastroenterology Department, Spain; Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Gastroenterology Department, Spain
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Saffioti C, Nebiolo M, Caorsi R, Mesini A, Severino M, Brisca G, Castagnola E, Gattorno M. Whipple Disease Presenting as Isolated Transverse Myelitis with Permanent Neurological Damage in a Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Case Report of a Difficult Diagnosis with a Literature Review. Infect Dis Rep 2024; 16:269-280. [PMID: 38525769 PMCID: PMC10961757 DOI: 10.3390/idr16020022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
We describe an atypical case of Whipple disease exclusively involving the spinal cord in an adolescent receiving immunosuppressive therapy for systemic lupus erythematosus. The diagnosis was particularly difficult since lupus and Whipple disease can present similar clinical features and the patient's prolonged contact with sewage was initially not mentioned. A literature review of the clinical, imaging, diagnostic, and therapeutic challenges of Whipple disease is also performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Saffioti
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (C.S.); (A.M.); (E.C.)
| | - Marta Nebiolo
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Roberta Caorsi
- Rheumatolgy and Autoinflammatory Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (R.C.); (M.G.)
| | - Alessio Mesini
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (C.S.); (A.M.); (E.C.)
| | | | - Giacomo Brisca
- Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - Elio Castagnola
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (C.S.); (A.M.); (E.C.)
| | - Marco Gattorno
- Rheumatolgy and Autoinflammatory Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (R.C.); (M.G.)
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Aulakh G, Lewis R, Singh A, Marian V. A 40-Year-Old Man with a 7-Year History of Polyarthritis and a Late Diagnosis of Whipple Disease: A Journey to Resolve the Mystery. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CASE REPORTS 2024; 25:e942896. [PMID: 38402412 PMCID: PMC10903923 DOI: 10.12659/ajcr.942896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Whipple disease (WD) is rare, with an incidence of only a few patients per million. It is caused by infection with the gram-positive bacterium Tropheryma whipplei, and presents with symptoms that include joint pain, fever, diarrhea, and weight loss. This report is of a 40-year-old man with a 7-year history of polyarthritis and a late diagnosis of Whipple disease. The atypical nature of his symptoms led to misdirection and misdiagnosis for years. CASE REPORT A middle-aged white man with seronegative migratory polyarticular arthritis underwent 7 years of treatment with steroids, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and a TNF (tumor necrosis factor)-alpha inhibitor, all without any clinical improvement. Throughout this period, he had persistent loose stools and iron-deficiency anemia. Extensive diagnostic investigations for various possibilities yielded negative results. However, after 7 years, he began displaying clinical signs of malabsorption. This prompted further evaluation, including an upper-gastrointestinal endoscopy and biopsy, which revealed the presence of PAS (periodic acid-Schiff)-positive Treponema whipplei, which led to the diagnosis of WD. Following initiation of appropriate treatment, the patient experienced complete resolution of symptoms. Retrospectively, all the pieces of this puzzle fell into place, providing a comprehensive understanding of the prolonged medical challenge the patient faced. CONCLUSIONS This case illuminates the diagnostic challenge faced when dealing with migratory polyarticular inflammatory arthritis and fever. This report has highlighted that Whipple disease can be associated with multiple symptoms and signs, which can result in a delay in diagnosis. However, once the diagnosis is confirmed, antibiotic treatment is effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gagan Aulakh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jersey City Medical Center, Jersey City, NJ, USA
| | - Rebekah Lewis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jersey City Medical Center, Jersey City, NJ, USA
| | - Arshdeep Singh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Government Medical College, Medical Enclave, Amritsar, India
| | - Valentin Marian
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jersey City Medical Center, Jersey City, NJ, USA
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Caillet Portillo D, Puéchal X, Masson M, Kostine M, Michaut A, Ramon A, Wendling D, Costedoat-Chalumeau N, Richette P, Marotte H, Vix-Portet J, Dubost JJ, Ottaviani S, Mouterde G, Grasland A, Frazier A, Germain V, Coury F, Tournadre A, Soubrier M, Cavalie L, Brevet P, Zabraniecki L, Jamard B, Couture G, Arnaud L, Richez C, Degboé Y, Ruyssen-Witrand A, Constantin A. Diagnosis and treatment of Tropheryma whipplei infection in patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease: Data from the French Tw-IRD registry. J Infect 2024; 88:132-138. [PMID: 38141787 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2023.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Tropheryma whipplei infection can manifest as inflammatory joint symptoms, which can lead to misdiagnosis of inflammatory rheumatic disease and the use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. We investigated the impact of diagnosis and treatment of Tropheryma whipplei infection in patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease. METHODS We initiated a registry including patients with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs-treated inflammatory rheumatic disease who were subsequently diagnosed with Tropheryma whipplei infection. We collected clinical, biological, treatment data of the inflammatory rheumatic disease, of Tropheryma whipplei infection, and impact of antibiotics on the evolution of inflammatory rheumatic disease. RESULTS Among 73 inflammatory rheumatic disease patients, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs initiation triggered extra-articular manifestations in 27% and resulted in stabilisation (51%), worsening (34%), or improvement (15%) of inflammatory rheumatic disease. At the diagnosis of Tropheryma whipplei infection, all patients had rheumatological symptoms (mean age 58 years, median inflammatory rheumatic disease duration 79 months), 84% had extra-rheumatological manifestations, 93% had elevated C-reactive protein, and 86% had hypoalbuminemia. Treatment of Tropheryma whipplei infection consisted mainly of doxycycline plus hydroxychloroquine, leading to remission of Tropheryma whipplei infection in 79% of cases. Antibiotic treatment of Tropheryma whipplei infection was associated with remission of inflammatory rheumatic disease in 93% of cases and enabled disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and glucocorticoid discontinuation in most cases. CONCLUSIONS Tropheryma whipplei infection should be considered in inflammatory rheumatic disease patients with extra-articular manifestations, elevated C-reactive protein, and/or hypoalbuminemia before disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs initiation or in inflammatory rheumatic disease patients with an inadequate response to one or more disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Positive results of screening and diagnostic tests for Tropheryma whipplei infection involve antibiotic treatment, which is associated with complete recovery of Tropheryma whipplei infection and rapid remission of inflammatory rheumatic disease, allowing disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and glucocorticoid discontinuation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien Caillet Portillo
- Pierre-Paul Riquet University Hospital, Toulouse & Toulouse III University - Paul Sabatier, Rheumatology, Toulouse, France.
| | - Xavier Puéchal
- National Referral Centre for Rare Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Hôpital Cochin, AP-HP Centre, Paris, France; Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Maëva Masson
- Pierre-Paul Riquet University Hospital, Toulouse & Toulouse III University - Paul Sabatier, Rheumatology, Toulouse, France
| | - Marie Kostine
- Department of Rheumatology, National Reference Center for Systemic Autoimmune Rare Diseases RESO, Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France
| | - Alexia Michaut
- Hospital Centre, Loire Vendée Ocean, Rheumatology, La Roche-sur-Yon, France
| | - André Ramon
- Le Bocage Hospital, University Hospital of Dijon, Rheumatology, Dijon, France
| | - Daniel Wendling
- CHU de Besançon, Service de Rhumatologie, Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Nathalie Costedoat-Chalumeau
- National Referral Centre for Rare Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Hôpital Cochin, AP-HP Centre, Paris, France; Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Pascal Richette
- Hôpital Lariboisière Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, Rheumatology, Paris, France
| | - Hubert Marotte
- Université Jean Monnet Saint-Étienne, CHU Saint-Étienne, Service de Rhumatologie, Mines Saint-Etienne, INSERM, SAINBIOSE U1059, F-42023 Saint-Etienne, France
| | | | - Jean-Jacques Dubost
- CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAe, Department of Rheumatology, Clermont Ferrand, France
| | | | - Gaël Mouterde
- Rheumatology Department, CHU Montpellier & IDESP, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Anne Grasland
- Louis-Mourier Hospital, AP-HP, Université Paris Cité, Rheumatology, Colombes, France
| | - Aline Frazier
- Hôpital Lariboisière Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, Rheumatology, Paris, France
| | | | - Fabienne Coury
- University of Lyon, University Lyon 1, Department of Rheumatology, Lyon Sud Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon Immunopathology Federation (LIFe), INSERM UMR 1033, Lyon, France
| | - Anne Tournadre
- CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAe, Department of Rheumatology, Clermont Ferrand, France
| | - Martin Soubrier
- CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAe, Department of Rheumatology, Clermont Ferrand, France
| | - Laurent Cavalie
- Bacteriology and Hygiene Laboratory, Federal Institute of Biology (IFB), Purpan Hospital, Toulouse & IRSD, INSERM, INRAE, ENVT Toulouse III University - Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Pauline Brevet
- Department of Rheumatology and CIC-CRB 1404, Inserm 1234, Rouen University, Rouen, France
| | - Laurent Zabraniecki
- Pierre-Paul Riquet University Hospital, Toulouse & Toulouse III University - Paul Sabatier, Rheumatology, Toulouse, France
| | - Bénédicte Jamard
- Pierre-Paul Riquet University Hospital, Toulouse & Toulouse III University - Paul Sabatier, Rheumatology, Toulouse, France
| | - Guillaume Couture
- Pierre-Paul Riquet University Hospital, Toulouse & Toulouse III University - Paul Sabatier, Rheumatology, Toulouse, France
| | - Laurent Arnaud
- Hautepierre Hospital, University Hospital of Strasbourg, Rheumatology, Strasbourg, France
| | - Christophe Richez
- Department of Rheumatology, National Reference Center for Systemic Autoimmune Rare Diseases RESO, Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France
| | - Yannick Degboé
- Pierre-Paul Riquet University Hospital, Toulouse & Toulouse III University - Paul Sabatier, Rheumatology, Toulouse, France
| | - Adeline Ruyssen-Witrand
- Pierre-Paul Riquet University Hospital, Toulouse & Toulouse III University - Paul Sabatier, Rheumatology, Toulouse, France; Centre d'Investigation Clinique de Toulouse CIC1436, Inserm, Team PEPSS "Pharmacologie En Population Cohortes et Biobanques", Toulouse, France
| | - Arnaud Constantin
- Pierre-Paul Riquet University Hospital, Toulouse & Toulouse III University - Paul Sabatier, Rheumatology, Toulouse, France.
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Liew KC, Nguyen C, Waidyatillake NT, Nguyen T, Walton A, Harris O, Athan E, Stenos J, Graves SR. A serological assay using Tropheryma whipplei antigens for the presumptive exclusion of Whipple disease. Pathology 2024; 56:98-103. [PMID: 38061960 DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2023.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Whipple disease (WD) is a rare infection in genetically susceptible people caused by the bacterium Tropheryma whipplei. An indirect immunofluorescence serological assay (IFA), detecting patient antibodies to the bacterium, was developed using T. whipplei as antigen. We hypothesised that this assay could be used to rule out WD in patients in whom the diagnosis was being considered, based on high immunoglobulin (Ig) G titres to T. whipplei. In this study, 16 confirmed WD patients and 156 age-matched controls from across Australia were compared serologically. WD patients mostly underproduced IgG antibody to T. whipplei, with titres of ≤1:32 being common. While at an antibody titre of <1:64 the assay sensitivity for WD was only 69% [95% confidence interval (CI) 41-89%], its specificity for excluding WD was 91% (95% CI 85-95%). This specificity increased to 95% (95% CI 90-98%) at an antibody titre of <1:16. Patients with antibody titres of >1:64 were unlikely to have WD. At this titre, the seroprevalence of T. whipplei IgG antibody was 92% (223/242) in Australian blood donors. Unlike other serological assays, which are used to confirm a specific infection, this novel assay is designed to rule out WD infection with a specificity in Australia of 91%. Further validation of this assay, by trialling in other countries, should now be undertaken, as its usefulness is dependent on there being a high background seropositivity to T. whipplei in the general population at the location in which the assay is being used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwee Chin Liew
- Department of Microbiology, Australian Clinical Labs, Geelong, Vic, Australia; Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, Vic, Australia; Deakin University, School of Medicine, Geelong, Vic, Australia.
| | - Chelsea Nguyen
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, Vic, Australia
| | - Nilakshi T Waidyatillake
- Barwon Health, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, Vic, Australia; Allergy and Lung Health Unit, Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - Trang Nguyen
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, ICPMR-Pathology West, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Aaron Walton
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, Vic, Australia; Deakin University, School of Medicine, Geelong, Vic, Australia
| | - Owen Harris
- Department of Microbiology, Australian Clinical Labs, Geelong, Vic, Australia; Deakin University, School of Medicine, Geelong, Vic, Australia; Barwon Health, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, Vic, Australia
| | - Eugene Athan
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, Vic, Australia; Deakin University, School of Medicine, Geelong, Vic, Australia; Barwon Health, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, Vic, Australia
| | - John Stenos
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, Vic, Australia
| | - Stephen R Graves
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, Vic, Australia
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Arzivian A, Jones B, Joshua F, Paul M, Lynch T, Brown M, Gasiorowski R. Fever and Increased Gastrointestinal Uptake on Positron Emission Tomography after Anti-Tumour Necrosis Factor Therapy: A Case Report of Whipple's Disease. Case Rep Gastroenterol 2024; 18:221-230. [PMID: 38645407 PMCID: PMC11032180 DOI: 10.1159/000538462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Whipple's disease is a rare condition that can present with atypical and non-specific features requiring a high index of suspicion for diagnosis. Case Presentation We present a case of a man in his 40s with peripheral arthritis and bilateral sacro-ileitis for 4-5 years that was treated with an anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy, which led to worsening of his symptoms, elevation of the inflammatory markers, and the development of fever, night sweats, anorexia, and a significant weight loss. The patient had no abdominal pain, diarrhoea, or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An FDG-PET scan showed increased uptake in the stomach and caecum. Endoscopic examination showed inflammatory changes in the stomach and normal mucosa of the duodenum, jejunum, terminal ileum, caecum, and colon. Histopathology was inconclusive, but the diagnosis was confirmed with Tropheryma whipplei PCR testing. He had no neurological symptoms, but cerebrospinal fluid Tropheryma whipplei PCR was positive. He was treated with intravenous ceftriaxone 2 g daily for 4 weeks, followed by trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole 160/800 mg twice daily for 1 year with close monitoring and follow-up. Conclusion This case presents an atypical and challenging presentation of Whipple's disease and the importance of proactive testing for neurological involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arteen Arzivian
- Gastroenterology Department, Macquarie University Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Brett Jones
- Gastroenterology Department, Macquarie University Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Fredrick Joshua
- Rheumatology Department, Macquarie University Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Miriam Paul
- Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology, Macquarie Park, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Thomas Lynch
- Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology, Macquarie Park, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Martin Brown
- Cardiology Department, Macquarie University Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Robin Gasiorowski
- Haematology Department, Macquarie University Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Tjandra DP, Brett A, Murugasu A. Use of bevacizumab in a patient with Whipple's disease: managing diagnostic uncertainty. BMJ Case Rep 2023; 16:e256460. [PMID: 37879715 PMCID: PMC10603426 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2023-256460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
A man in his 30s with intellectual disability presented with 1 month of diarrhoea, weight loss and dyspnoea. Investigations were hampered due to significant anxiety. Laboratory tests detected microcytic anaemia and hypoalbuminaemia. CT demonstrated a fat-containing infiltrate in the mediastinum, mesentery and axillae, and pulmonary ground-glass infiltrates. Biopsy of the axilla showed cystic lymphatic malformations involving adipose tissue and lymph nodes, leading to a provisional diagnosis of generalised lymphatic anomaly. Over the subsequent 4 months, the patient's respiratory status deteriorated, leading to type 1 respiratory failure necessitating intubation. After multidisciplinary discussion, a decision was made to trial bevacizumab, an anti-VEGF agent, with subsequent improvement in respiratory status. While intubated, gastroscopy was performed; duodenal biopsies revealed pathognomonic changes of Whipple's disease, confirmed on PCR of duodenal and axillae biopsies. This was deemed the most likely unifying diagnosis; antibiotic treatment was commenced, bevacizumab was ceased, and the patient has remained well after 18 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas Peter Tjandra
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital City Campus, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew Brett
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital City Campus, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anand Murugasu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital City Campus, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Song X, Duan R, Duan L, Wei L. Current knowledge of the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in Whipple disease: a review. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1265414. [PMID: 37901208 PMCID: PMC10611461 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1265414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is characterized by exaggerated and dysregulated inflammatory responses that occur as a result of reconstitution of adaptive or innate immunity. A wide range of microorganisms have been found to be associated with IRIS, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Mycobacterium and actinobacteria. Whipple disease (WD) is an infectious disorder caused by the Gram-positive bacterium Tropheryma whipplei (T. whipplei) and IRIS also serves as a complication during its treament. Although many of these pathological mechanisms are shared with related inflammatory disorders, IRIS in WD exhibits distinct features and is poorly described in the medical literature. Novel investigations of the intestinal mucosal immune system have provided new insights into the pathogenesis of IRIS, elucidating the interplay between systemic and local immune responses. These insights may be used to identify monitoring tools for disease prevention and to develop treatment strategies. Therefore, this review synthesizes these new concepts in WD IRIS to approach the feasibility of manipulating host immunity and immune reconstitution of inflammatory syndromes from a newer, more comprehensive perspective and study hypothetical options for the management of WD IRIS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Lijuan Wei
- Department of Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Center, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Chang Chun, Jilin, China
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Menier CA, Rheaume P, Bernatchez J. Two consecutive cases of mycotic aneurysms resulting from Whipple disease. J Vasc Surg Cases Innov Tech 2023; 9:101182. [PMID: 37388672 PMCID: PMC10300405 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvscit.2023.101182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Whipple disease is a rare multisystemic infectious process caused by Tropheryma whipplei. Classical clinical manifestations include chronic diarrhea, malabsorption, weight loss, and arthralgias. Cases of endocarditis and isolated involvement of the central nervous system have also been reported. Isolated vascular complications are not common with this disease. Vascular manifestations are mainly described as systemic embolization from underlying endocarditis. We report two consecutive cases of mycotic pseudoaneurysms resulting from Whipple disease treated with successful vascular reconstruction using autologous vein grafting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Julien Bernatchez
- Correspondence: Julien Bernatchez, MD, MMSc, Division of Vascular Surgery, CHU de Quebec, Hopital St-Francois D'Assise, Universite Laval, 10 rue de l’Espinay, Quebec City, QC G1L 3L5, Canada
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Weber M, Dancygier H, Blasberg T, Wedi E. [Co-occurrence of Whipple's disease and hyperparathyroidism - coincidence or causal relationship?]. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR GASTROENTEROLOGIE 2023; 61:1214-1220. [PMID: 37309099 DOI: 10.1055/a-1984-0403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Whipple's disease is a rare infectious disease with multiple clinical manifestations. The disease is named after George Hoyt Whipple, who first recorded the illness in 1907 after conducting the autopsy of a 36-year-old man with weight loss, diarrhea, and arthritis. Under the microscope, Whipple discovered a rod-shaped bacterium in the patient's intestinal wall, which was not confirmed as a new bacterial species until 1992, when it was named Tropheryma whipplei.Recurrence of Whipple's disease can occur years after an initial diagnosis and often manifests with extraintestinal symptoms such as arthritides or skin efflorescences, years before a gastrointestinal complaint. However, the simultaneous occurrence of primary hyperparathyroidism in the present case is a hitherto unknown clinical picture and opens up new questions and perspectives in the context of diagnostics and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Weber
- Abteilung für Gastroenterologie, Gastrointestinale Onkologie und Interventionelle Endoskopie, Sana Klinikum Offenbach GmbH, Offenbach, Germany
| | | | - Tobias Blasberg
- Abteilung für Gastroenterologie, Gastrointestinale Onkologie und Interventionelle Endoskopie, Sana Klinikum Offenbach GmbH, Offenbach, Germany
| | - Edris Wedi
- Abteilung für Gastroenterologie, Gastrointestinale Onkologie und Interventionelle Endoskopie, Sana Klinikum Offenbach GmbH, Offenbach, Germany
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Contribution of PCR to Differential Diagnosis between Patients with Whipple Disease and Tropheryma whipplei Carriers. J Clin Microbiol 2023; 61:e0145722. [PMID: 36656022 PMCID: PMC9945495 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01457-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Differentiation between Whipple disease (WD) patients and patients carrying Tropheryma whipplei but suffering from disease other than WD ("carriers") remains complex. We aimed to evaluate T. whipplei PCR among patients with WD and carriers in a large cohort at our referral clinical microbiology laboratory. This is an observational retrospective cohort study, including all patients between 2008 and 2020 with at least one positive result for T. whipplei using the real-time PCR RealCycler TRWH-UX kit. A total of 233 patients were included: 197 were considered carriers, and 36 had WD. Among the WD patients, 32 underwent biopsies, of which 18 (56%) had a positive periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. Among the 27 duodenal biopsy specimens, 13 (48%) were PAS positive. PCR results before antibiotic treatment were positive in both feces and saliva in 16/21 WD (76%) patients and 68/197 (35%) carriers (P < 0.001). Duodenal biopsy specimens yielded positive PCR in 20/22 (91%) WD patients and 27/72 (38%) carriers (P < 0.001). The cycle threshold (CT) value detected in duodenal biopsy specimens from WD patients was significantly lower than that of carriers (P < 0.001), regardless of the PAS staining results. For a diagnosis of WD, duodenal PCR sensitivity and specificity at a CT value below 30 were 52.4% and >99.9%, respectively. The high specificity of duodenal PCR with low CT values may help confirming the diagnosis of WD, especially in patients with negative PAS results in digestive biopsy specimens, who represent half of all patients. A low PCR CT value from a duodenal biopsy specimen provides valuable guidance, especially in patients with PAS-negative results.
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Choueiry R, Faddoul J, Najjar J, Ghorra C, Mansour J, Safi N, Amara J. An unusual presentation of Whipple’s disease: adenopathies, polyarthralgia and dermatomyositis-like symptoms. EXPLORATION OF MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.37349/emed.2022.00113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Whipple’s disease (WD) is a rare systemic disease caused by gram-positive bacillus bacteria that invades multiple organs mainly the intestinal epithelium. Its manifestation is not only limited to the gastrointestinal tract but it also affects the joints, muscle and skin. This is a case of a 54-year-old male patient with a medical history of chronic arthritis presenting with bilateral progressive calves pain, anterior tibial hyperpigmentation, joints pain, anemia and weight loss. He was misdiagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis, for which he was treated by immunosuppressors for several years with no amelioration. After advanced investigations, he was found to have multiple retroperitoneal and mesenteric adenopathies, with an incidental finding of a mesojejunal mass during laparoscopy, from which the biopsies revealed the presence of histiocytosis and numerous intra-cytoplasmic particles with positive periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) suggesting the diagnosis of WD. Endoscopy was done and intestinal histology with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test confirmed the diagnosis of WD. The patient was then treated with antibiotics (ceftriaxone and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) with a remarkable clinical amelioration. To be aware of WD as a potential etiology behind malabsorption, musculoskeletal and skin abnormalities, is the first step in order to establish the diagnosis and provide adequate treatment, thus, improving the patient’s quality of life. WD is a rare, without antibiotic treatment deadly systemic infectious disease caused by the ubiquitary Gram-positive bacterium Tropheryma whipplei. This article aims to report a case marked with dermatomyositis like presentation that had a missed and delayed diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randa Choueiry
- Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon; Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology Department, Lebanese Hospital Geitaoui, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Joelle Faddoul
- Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon; Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology Department, Lebanese Hospital Geitaoui, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Jacqueline Najjar
- Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Claude Ghorra
- Anatomo Pathology Department, Lebanese Hospital Geitaoui, Beirut, Lebanon; Anatomo Pathology Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Josiane Mansour
- Anatomo Pathology Department, Lebanese Hospital Geitaoui, Beirut, Lebanon; Anatomo Pathology Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Neemtallah Safi
- Gastroenterology Department, Lebanese Hospital Geitaoui, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Joseph Amara
- Gastroenterology Department, Lebanese Hospital Geitaoui, Beirut, Lebanon
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Ahmad AI, Wikholm C, Pothoulakis I, Caplan C, Lee A, Buchanan F, Kyoo Cho W. Whipple's disease review, prevalence, mortality, and characteristics in the United States: A cross-sectional national inpatient study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e32231. [PMID: 36626499 PMCID: PMC9750640 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000032231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Whipple's disease is a rare multiorgan systemic disease caused by Tropheryma whipplei infection that may present with a wide range of signs and symptoms. This study aim to comprehensively review and determine the inpatient prevalence, mortality, risk factors, and reasons for hospitalization of patients with Whipple's disease. ICD-10 codes were used to identify admissions with Whipple's disease during the years 2016 to 2018. Characteristics of admissions with and without Whipple's disease were compared. The most common reasons for hospitalization were identified in admissions with Whipple's disease. The prevalence of Whipple's disease was 4.6 per 1 million hospitalizations during the study period. Whipple's disease admissions were significantly older than other hospitalizations, with a mean age of 60.2 ± 1.6 years compared to 50.0 ± 0.1. Males were more likely to have Whipple's disease and represented approximately two-thirds of hospitalizations. A disproportionate number of admissions occurred in the Midwest. Patients with Whipple's disease were most commonly admitted for gastrointestinal disease, followed by systemic infection, cardiovascular/circulatory disease, musculoskeletal disease, respiratory disease, and neurological disease. High mortality was seen in admissions for central nervous system (CNS) disease. Whipple's disease has heterogeneous presentations for inpatient admissions, and disproportionately affects older males. High hospitalization rates in the Midwest support environmental and occupational disease transmission likely from the soil. Hospitalists should be aware of the various acute, subacute, and chronic presentations of this disease, and that acute presentations may be more common in the inpatient setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akram I. Ahmad
- Department of Internal Medicine, MedStar Washington Hospital Center Rather than Georgetown, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Colin Wikholm
- Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Ioannis Pothoulakis
- Department of Internal Medicine, MedStar Washington Hospital Center Rather than Georgetown, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Claire Caplan
- Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Arielle Lee
- Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Faith Buchanan
- Department of Internal Medicine, MedStar Washington Hospital Center Rather than Georgetown, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Won Kyoo Cho
- Department of Internal Medicine, MedStar Washington Hospital Center Rather than Georgetown, Washington, D.C., USA
- Department of Gastroenterology, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, D.C., USA
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14
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Naser JA, Fogwe D, Ho M, Corsini Campioli C, Shah A. Hiding in Plain Sight. N Engl J Med 2022; 387:2075-2081. [PMID: 36449424 DOI: 10.1056/nejmcps2205021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jwan A Naser
- From the Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine (J.A.N., D.F., M.H.), and the Division of Public Health, Infectious Diseases, and Occupational Medicine (C.C.C., A.S.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Delvise Fogwe
- From the Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine (J.A.N., D.F., M.H.), and the Division of Public Health, Infectious Diseases, and Occupational Medicine (C.C.C., A.S.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Matthew Ho
- From the Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine (J.A.N., D.F., M.H.), and the Division of Public Health, Infectious Diseases, and Occupational Medicine (C.C.C., A.S.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Cristina Corsini Campioli
- From the Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine (J.A.N., D.F., M.H.), and the Division of Public Health, Infectious Diseases, and Occupational Medicine (C.C.C., A.S.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Aditya Shah
- From the Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine (J.A.N., D.F., M.H.), and the Division of Public Health, Infectious Diseases, and Occupational Medicine (C.C.C., A.S.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
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15
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Capsule Endoscopy in the Diagnosis, Disease Mapping, and Monitoring of Treatment Response in Gastrointestinal Whipple's Disease. ACG Case Rep J 2022; 9:e00842. [PMID: 36128577 PMCID: PMC9481437 DOI: 10.14309/crj.0000000000000842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Whipple's disease is a rare systemic infection causing malabsorption. Affected patients often undergo extensive investigation until final diagnosis with periodic acid-Schiff-positive histology. We present the case of a 73-year-old man diagnosed with Whipple's disease after a prolonged history, with a focus on capsule endoscopy (CE) in both mapping the extent of the pathology and follow-up. We demonstrate pre-treatment and post-treatment CE images, allowing visualization of resolved small bowel pathology, and demonstrate histological resolution. The early use of CE in the investigation of Whipple's disease may expedite diagnosis in patients with more distal bowel pathology and help assess disease severity.
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16
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Lin M, Wang K, Qiu L, Liang Y, Tu C, Chen M, Wang Z, Wu J, Huang Y, Tan C, Chen Q, Zheng X, Liu J. Tropheryma whipplei detection by metagenomic next-generation sequencing in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid: A cross-sectional study. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:961297. [PMID: 36061864 PMCID: PMC9428251 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.961297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Tropheryma whipplei is the bacterium associated with Whipple’s disease (WD), a chronic systemic infectious disease primarily involving the gastrointestinal tract. T. whipplei can also be detected in different body site of healthy individuals, including saliva and feces. Traditionally, Tropheryma whipplei has a higher prevalence in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of immunocompromised individuals. Few studies have explored the significance of the detection of T. whipplei in BALF. Herein, we retrospectively reviewed 1725 BALF samples which detected for metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) from March 2019 to April 2022 in Zhuhai, China. Seventy BALs (70/1725, 4.0%) from 70 patients were positive for T. whipplei. Forty-four patients were male with an average age of 50 years. The main symptoms included cough (23/70), expectoration (13/70), weight loss (9/70), and/or dyspnea (8/70), but gastrointestinal symptoms were rare. Chronic liver diseases were the most common comorbidity (n=15, 21.4%), followed by diabetes mellitus (n=13, 18.6%). Only nine patients (12.9%) were immunocompromised. Twenty-four patients (34.3%) were finally diagnosed with reactivation tuberculosis and 15 patients (21.4%) were diagnosed with lung tumors, including 13 primary lung adenocarcinoma and two lung metastases. Fifteen patients (21.4%) had pneumonia. Among the 20 samples, T. whipplei was the sole agent, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex was the most common detected other pathogens. Among the non-tuberculosis patients, 31 (31/46, 67.4%) had ground glass nodules or solid nodules on chest CT. Our study indicates that T. whipplei should be considered as a potential contributing factor in some lung diseases. For non-immunocompromised patients, the detection of T. whipplei also needs attention. The mNGS technology improves the detection and attention of rare pathogens. In the future, the infection, colonization, and prognosis of T. whipplei in lung still need to be studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minmin Lin
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (PCCM), the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Kongqiu Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (PCCM), the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Lidi Qiu
- Department of Infectious Disease Intensive Care Unit, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Yingjian Liang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (PCCM), the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Changli Tu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (PCCM), the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Meizhu Chen
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (PCCM), the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Zhenguo Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (PCCM), the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (PCCM), the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Yiying Huang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (PCCM), the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Cuiyan Tan
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (PCCM), the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Qijiu Chen
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (PCCM), the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Xiaobin Zheng
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (PCCM), the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (PCCM), the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
- *Correspondence: Jing Liu,
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17
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The Brief Case: Tropheryma whipplei Infection Resulting in Neurological Symptoms. J Clin Microbiol 2022; 60:e0147821. [PMID: 35975990 PMCID: PMC9383192 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01478-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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18
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Mohammed F, Kurtom M, Brant A, Sampath R. Whipple's disease unmasked by TNF inhibitor therapy for treatment of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. BMJ Case Rep 2022; 15:e250693. [PMID: 35863856 PMCID: PMC9310182 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2022-250693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
We report a patient with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed with Whipple's disease following treatment of tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFI) therapy. Whipple's disease should be considered in patients with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis and other unexplained multisystem illness. The TNFI therapy and immunosuppressive therapies can unmask latent Whipple's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahad Mohammed
- Neuroscience, Duke University Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Muhannad Kurtom
- Medicine, UNC Health Blue Ridge, Morganton, North Carolina, USA
| | - Andrew Brant
- Pathology, UNC Health Blue Ridge, Morganton, North Carolina, USA
| | - Rahul Sampath
- Infectious Disease, UNC Health Blue Ridge, Morganton, North Carolina, USA
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19
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Wang S, Xia D, Wu J, Jia D, Li L, Xu S. Severe Pneumonia Caused by Infection With Tropheryma whipplei Complicated With Acinetobacter baumannii Infection: A Case Report Involving a Young Woman. Front Public Health 2021; 9:729595. [PMID: 34760862 PMCID: PMC8575073 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.729595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Whipple's disease is a very rare systemic infectious disease, and very few cases have been reported. However, it can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated appropriately. The major clinical manifestations of this disease are usually digestive and nervous system symptoms. The majority of patients are male and between 40 and 50 years old. Although respiratory symptoms of this disease have rarely been reported, they pose a serious threat to the lives of the patients, especially when they progress to severe pneumonia. During admission to the hospital, Acinetobacter baumannii infection makes treatment more difficult. While most patients are middle-aged men, more attention should be given to the diagnosis and treatment of affected young women. To our knowledge, the case presented in the study is the first case of Tropheryma whipplei infection that resulted in severe pneumonia and was complicated by A. baumannii infection during treatment. We hope that our study can serve as a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of related cases in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Wang
- Department of Emergency, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Demeng Xia
- Department of Emergency, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.,Health Clinic, Liberation Army Unit 91666, Zhoushan, China
| | - Jianghong Wu
- Department of Emergency, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dandan Jia
- Department of Emergency, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Emergency, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuogui Xu
- Department of Emergency, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
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20
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Role of enteroscopy in the diagnosis of whipple's disease. Acta Gastroenterol Belg 2021; 84:669-671. [PMID: 34965051 DOI: 10.51821/84.4.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Whipple's disease is a rare chronic systemic infection caused by Tropheryma whipplei. The widespread infection by this rod is responsible for the protean clinical manifestations of the disease, although its classical form is notable for the prevalence of abdominal symptoms such as chronic diarrhea and abdominal pain. Whitish-yellow patches, suggestive of lymphangiectasia, are typically observed in the duodenum during upper endoscopy. The diagnosis of this condition is supported by the identification in duodenal biopsies of Periodic acid-Schiff staining within lamina propria macrophages. Nevertheless, a significant portion of patients do not have lesions within the range of conventional upper endoscopy. Therefore, other endoscopic procedures such as video capsule endoscopy and enteroscopy may be useful to detect more distal lesions. The authors describe a case where the combined used of both techniques allowed the unmasking of this disease.
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21
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Clinical manifestations of Whipple's disease mimicking rheumatic disorders. Reumatologia 2021; 59:104-110. [PMID: 33976464 PMCID: PMC8103404 DOI: 10.5114/reum.2021.105418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Whipple’s disease is a rare, chronic, systemic disorder caused by Tropheryma whipplei infection. The most common symptoms are weight loss, arthralgia, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Other organ involvement can also occur in the patients. Joint manifestations may mimic rheumatoid arthritis or spondyloarthritis. Arthalgia, arthritis, spondylodiscitis, bursitis and/or tenosynovitis are seen in the majority of the patients. This explains why some of the symptoms are misdiagnosed as those of rheumatic diseases. Understanding of Whipple’s disease is important for differential diagnostics of several rheumatic symptoms.
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22
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He YT, Peterson K, Crothers J, Dejace J, Hale AJ. Endocarditis and systemic embolization from Whipple's disease. IDCases 2021; 24:e01105. [PMID: 33868927 PMCID: PMC8047165 DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2021.e01105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Whipple’s disease (WD), caused by infection with the organism Tropheryma whipplei, is a rare disease that classically presents with diarrhea, weight loss, and polyarthralgia. Less commonly, Whipple’s Disease can presentation with endocarditis or neurologic infections. The authors report a patient with Whipple’s Disease endocarditis whose initial presentation was acute lower extremity arterial occlusion, and review current literature regarding the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of Whipple’s Disease endocarditis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Ting He
- University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, VT, United States
| | | | - Jessica Crothers
- University of Vermont Medical Center, Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Jean Dejace
- University of Vermont Medical Center, Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Andrew J. Hale
- University of Vermont Medical Center, Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
- Corresponding author at: University of Vermont Medical Center, Infectious Disease Unit, 111 Colchester Avenue, Mailstop 115 SM2, Burlington, VT 05401, United States.
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Kukull B, Mahlow J, Hale G, Perry LJ. Whipple's disease: a fatal mimic. AUTOPSY AND CASE REPORTS 2021; 11:e2020237. [PMID: 34277495 PMCID: PMC8101681 DOI: 10.4322/acr.2020.237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Whipple’s Disease, a rare diagnosis caused by the slow-growing bacterium Tropheryma whipplei, most often presents with the classically described signs of malabsorption due to gastrointestinal colonization. However, it can also have signs and symptoms that clinically overlap with rheumatic diseases, potentially resulting in misdiagnosis. Furthermore, treatment with modern potent biologic immunosuppressive agents and classic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can lead to serious exacerbation of undiagnosed infections. We present the case of a middle-aged woman with long term complaints of arthalgias, who was diagnosed with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis and subsequently treated for almost 7 years with such immunosuppressive therapies. The patient’s disease course included chronic diarrhea that abruptly intensified and culminated in fatal hypovolemic shock/sepsis. A diagnosis of WD was made by autopsy examination, wherein several organ systems were found to be heavily involved by Tropheryma whipplei organisms, and their identification was confirmed with histochemical and molecular evaluation. Notably, most bacterial organisms were located deeply in the submucosa/muscularis of affected organs, a practical reminder to practicing pathologists that challenges the classic histopathologic description of Whipple disease as an infiltration of predominantly lamina propria, and the potential for sampling bias in typically superficial endoscopic biopsies during routine procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Kukull
- University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jonathon Mahlow
- University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Gillian Hale
- University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Lindsey J Perry
- University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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24
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Panarelli NC. Infectious diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Histopathology 2020; 78:70-87. [PMID: 33382485 DOI: 10.1111/his.14243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
A broad spectrum of pathogens produce gastrointestinal disease. The ongoing spread of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome, the increased use of immunosuppressive therapy and the persistence of overcrowding and suboptimal sanitation in underdeveloped areas facilitate both disease transmission from environmental and foodborne sources and person-to-person transmission. Clinicians increasingly rely on endoscopic biopsy sample interpretation to diagnose gastrointestinal infections. Thus, pathologists must be aware of diagnostic features of a variety of microbial pathogens. Detection with molecular techniques also allows for correlation between infectious agents and their histopathological features, which has expanded our knowledge of the inflammatory changes produced by infectious agents. This review covers infectious disorders of the upper gastrointestinal tract encountered in surgical pathology. Clinical, endoscopic and pathological features are presented. The review emphasises morphological features of viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites that may be found in tissue samples, and the inflammatory patterns that they produce. Differential diagnoses and useful ancillary techniques are discussed.
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25
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Duss FR, Jaton K, Vollenweider P, Troillet N, Greub G. Whipple disease: a 15-year retrospective study on 36 patients with positive polymerase chain reaction for Tropheryma whipplei. Clin Microbiol Infect 2020; 27:910.e9-910.e13. [PMID: 32896657 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2020.08.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Our institution has performed microbiological diagnosis of Tropheryma whipplei since 2001, initially with a PCR targeting 16S rRNA before the development of a quantitative PCR in 2012. Here we report the clinical characteristics of a cohort of patients suffering from Whipple disease (WD) and evaluate the impact of these molecular techniques. Patients with a positive PCR for T. whipplei between 2001 and 2016 were retrospectively collected from microbiological databases. Two infectious diseases specialists reviewed their medical records and classified them as definite WD, probable WD or carriage of T. whipplei without disease. A total of 1153 samples were tested for T. whipplei; 76 samples taken from 36 patients were positive. Fifteen were considered as presenting a definite WD, seven as a probable WD and 14 as carriers. Median age was 56.4 years (extremes, 6.6-76.1). Median time from symptoms to diagnosis was 3 years (2.5 months to 13.3 years). About 60% were immunosuppressed. The most frequent clinical presentations were joint pain (16/22), weight loss (15/22) and/or digestive tract disorder (15/22); 41% had neurological manifestations, 32% pulmonary involvement and 32% lymphadenopathies. Bacterial load in faeces or saliva were 88 425 copies/mL (IQR 6175-292 725) in definite and probable WD and 311 copies/mL (IQR 253-2090) in carriers, respectively. We observed a 90% PPV above 32 200 copies/mL in faeces. WD is a chronic multisystemic disease with frequent pulmonary involvement. Underlying immunodeficiency is commonly observed leading to more complex clinical presentation. Positive T. whipplei PCR in both stool and saliva has a high positive predictive value. Moreover, patients with WD present higher bacterial load in faeces with a threshold of >32 200 copies/mL predicting ongoing infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- François-Régis Duss
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Katia Jaton
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Peter Vollenweider
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Troillet
- Department of Infectious Diseases Valais Hospital, Sion, Switzerland
| | - Gilbert Greub
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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26
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Edouard S, Luciani L, Lagier JC, Raoult D. Current knowledge for the microbiological diagnosis of Tropheryma whipplei infection. Expert Opin Orphan Drugs 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/21678707.2020.1791700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Edouard
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
| | - Léa Luciani
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Lagier
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
| | - Didier Raoult
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
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Rey R M, Orozco LA, Marrugo K, López R, Pérez-Riveros ED, De la Hoz-Valle J, Sierra-Arango F. Whipple disease diagnosed by enteroscopy: first case report in Colombia of an underdiagnosed disease and literature review. BMC Gastroenterol 2020; 20:197. [PMID: 32576148 PMCID: PMC7310292 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-020-01302-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Whipple's disease is a rare systemic disease caused by a gram-positive bacillus called Tropheryma whipplei. First described in 1907 as an intestinal lipodystrophy with histological finding of vacuoles in the macrophages of the intestinal mucous. Usually the symptoms are localized according to the compromised organ. The differential diagnosis is wide. It can be fatal without proper treatment. Recurrence can occur in up to 33% of the cases and usually compromises the neurological system. CASE PRESENTATION This article reports the case of a 46-year-old female patient with a history of a 6-month hypochromic microcytic anemia of unknown cause. She consulted for a 6-months oppressive abdominal pain located in the mesogastrium as well as abdominal distention associated with nausea and liquid stools; in addition, she had an 8-month small and medium joint pain, without edema or erythema. Physical examination without relevant findings. Multiple esophagogastroduodenoscopies with normal gastric and duodenal biopsies findings and a normal colonoscopy were performed. Endoscope capsule showed red spots in the duodenum and ulcerations in the jejunum and proximal ileum covered by fibrin; histological report showed macrophages with positive periodic acid-schiff reaction staining (PAS staining), disgnosing Whipple's disease. Antibiotics were initiated. The patient is currently in the second phase of treatment without gastrointestinal and joint symptoms. CONCLUSION This is the first case reported in Colombia. It is a rare entity and difficult to diagnose reason why it is important to continue with clinical investigations to give more clarity about the onset and appropriate diagnose to avoid the delay in treatment of this entity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita Rey R
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Digestive Endoscopy Section, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Cogotá D.C., Colombia.
| | | | | | - Rocio López
- Pathology Department, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Cogotá D.C., Colombia
| | - Erika D Pérez-Riveros
- Subdirección de Estudios Clínicos y Epidemiología Clínica (SECEC), Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Bogotá D. C., Colombia
| | - José De la Hoz-Valle
- Subdirección de Estudios Clínicos y Epidemiología Clínica (SECEC), Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Bogotá D. C., Colombia
| | - Fernando Sierra-Arango
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Digestive Endoscopy Section, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá and Universidad de los Andes Medical School, Bogotá D.C., Colombia
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A Man With Chronic Diarrhea and Weight Loss. INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN CLINICAL PRACTICE 2020. [DOI: 10.1097/ipc.0000000000000811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Seronegative Arthritis and Whipple Disease: Risk of Misdiagnosis in the Era of Biologic Agents. Case Rep Rheumatol 2019; 2019:3410468. [PMID: 31737398 PMCID: PMC6815603 DOI: 10.1155/2019/3410468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We report 2 cases of Whipple disease (WD), previously diagnosed as seronegative polyarthritis and treated for several years with immunosuppressive agents, accordingly. Both cases had been treated over years with cDMARDs and bDMARDs. The first patient was a 48-year-old male, who developed a life-threatening disease characterized by fever, significant weight loss, and bloody diarrhoea, supported with RBC transfusions. The second patient was a 55-year-old man, presenting with arthritis, fever, serositis, lymphadenopathy, thoracic rash, and systemic inflammation; at the beginning he was diagnosed as adult onset Still's disease. He was treated with steroids and antitumour necrosis factor agents, but showed no improvement. Both patients were eventually treated with antimicrobial therapy for WD with dramatic improvement and no clinical relapse in 6 months. This paper reviews the literature on WD mimicking chronic inflammatory arthritis. WD may lead to chronic seronegative arthritis that might often be misrecognized. Importantly, patients treated with bDMARDs and glucocorticoids might develop a life-threatening disease. Therefore, WD should be suspected and excluded in patients showing resistance or frequent recurrence of chronic arthritis, if seronegative, under treatment with bDMARDs, especially in the presence of new, unexpected sign and/or symptoms.
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