T. whipplei is one of the Actinomycetes, and is a distant relative of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare and Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, explaining in part why Whipple's disease is similar to the diseases<unk> d by these bacteria. The disease is common in farmers and those exposed to soil and animals, suggesting that the infection is acquired from these sources. Individuals who are most susceptible to the disease are those with decreased ability to perform intracellular degradation of ingested pathogens or particles, particularly within macrophages. Several studies indicate that defective T-lymphocyte (particularly TH1 population) function may be an important predisposing factor for the disease. In particular, circulating cells which are CD11b (also known as integrin alpha) expressive are reduced in susceptible individuals. CD11b has a vital role in activation of macrophages to destroy intracellularly ingested T. whipplei bacteria.
medical cause of Malabsorption
medical cause of Protein losing enteropathy
medical cause of Bowel obstruction
complications of Malabsorption
medical cause of Malnutrition
medical cause of Abdominal pain
medical cause of Intestinal pseudo-obstruction
medical cause of Constipation