Whipple's disease. Case report.

The paper reports the clinical case of a 58 -year-old male patient admitted for diarrhea (6-7 stools/day, diffuse abdominal pain, borborygma, weight loss (20 kgs in two years), asthenia and fatigue. Physical examination evidenced a poor nutritional state (body mass index 19 kg/m2). The abdomen was slightly distended. Biological tests evidenced moderate/severe anemia, hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia. Endoscopic examination evidenced oedematous duodenal mucosa with white-yellowish deposits. Histology (HE stain) revealed the presence of foamy cells and the PAS-staining of the duodenal mucosa evidenced PAS-positive macrophages and numerous intracellular bacilli. Penicillin therapy 2 x 1 million U/day for 14 days, followed by tetracycline 4 x 250 mg/day improved the clinical picture, the patient had only one stool per day and gained weight. After 7 months of treatment the general condition was good and the patient had gained 17 kgs, the duodenal mucosa was normal. HE staining did not evidence foamy cells and no PAS-positive macrophages could be found.