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A Metadata Extraction Approach for Clinical Case Reports to Enable Advanced Understanding of Biomedical Concepts
Published on: September 20, 2018
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[Whipple's disease: A clinical case report]
L M Krums1, N A Bodunova1, E A Sabel'nikova1
1Moscow Clinical Research and Practical Center, Moscow Healthcare Department, Moscow, Russia.
Terapevticheskii Arkhiv
|March 11, 2017
Summary
Whipple's disease, a rare bacterial infection, can cause severe weight loss and gastrointestinal issues. Early diagnosis via duodenal biopsy and prompt antibiotic treatment led to significant patient recovery.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Whipple's disease is a rare, chronic, systemic infectious disease caused by Tropheryma whipplei.
- It often presents with non-specific symptoms, mimicking other conditions like inflammatory bowel disease or malignancy.
Observation:
- A 56-year-old female presented with significant weight loss, diarrhea, weakness, joint pain, and fever.
- Clinical examination revealed anemia, elevated inflammatory markers, and hypoproteinemia.
- Imaging showed enlarged mesenteric and retroperitoneal lymph nodes, initially raising suspicion for lymphoma.
Findings:
- Diagnosis was confirmed by a duodenal mucosal biopsy demonstrating the characteristic PAS-positive inclusions of Tropheryma whipplei.
- Treatment with a fat-free diet and antibiotics (co-trimoxazole and ciprofloxacin) resulted in rapid symptom resolution.
- The patient experienced weight gain, normalization of blood counts, and resolution of fever and diarrhea within one month.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering Whipple's disease in patients with unexplained gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms.
- Timely diagnosis through duodenal biopsy and appropriate antibiotic therapy are crucial for successful management.
- Prolonged antibiotic treatment is recommended until histopathological evidence of infection resolves.
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