Tropical sprue in two foreign residents, with evidence of Tropheryma whippelii in one case

J Travel Med. 2006 May-Jun;13(3):175-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1708-8305.2006.00038.x.

Abstract

Tropical sprue is a rare disease in travelers. Its etiology remains unclear. We report two cases of tropical sprue occurring in long-term residents in Nepal and Cameroon. In one case, Tropheryma whippelii, the agent of Whipple's disease, was identified. Many infectious agents have been suggested to be the etiological agent of tropical sprue, but no association with Whipple's disease has yet been reported.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Actinobacteria / isolation & purification*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cameroon
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nepal
  • Sprue, Tropical / diagnosis*
  • Sprue, Tropical / drug therapy
  • Sprue, Tropical / microbiology*
  • Travel*
  • Whipple Disease / diagnosis

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents