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[Tropical sprue in an expatriate]
S Bonnefoy1, A Chauvin, C Galéano-Cassaz
1Clinique médicale, HIA du Val-de-Grâce, 74, boulevard de Port-Royal, 75005 Paris, France. sabine.bonnefoy@yahoo.fr
La Revue De Medecine Interne
|March 13, 2012
Summary
Tropical sprue, a malabsorption disorder, can be diagnosed in patients with villous atrophy living in tropical regions. Prompt treatment with antibiotics and nutritional support leads to favorable outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Tropical Medicine
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Tropical sprue is a malabsorption syndrome prevalent in tropical regions.
- It is characterized by impaired nutrient absorption following an infection.
Observation:
- A 65-year-old expatriate in Cambodia presented with significant weight loss and chronic diarrhea.
- Endoscopy revealed duodenal villous atrophy and histological analysis confirmed subtotal villous atrophy with lymphocytosis.
- Other causes of villous atrophy were excluded.
Findings:
- The patient received a three-month course of antibiotics, folic acid, and vitamin B12.
- Diarrhea resolved within 15 days of treatment initiation.
- One year post-treatment, the patient's weight normalized, and biopsies showed complete recovery.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering tropical sprue in patients with malabsorption and villous atrophy in endemic areas.
- Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for a favorable prognosis.
- Further research into the pathogenesis and optimal management of tropical sprue is warranted.
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