Patient case: Whipple’s Disease
A 45-year-old male presented with chronic diarrhea, unintentional weight loss, and intermittent joint pain. Over the past several months, he experienced fatigue, abdominal pain, and progressive weakness. His past medical history was unremarkable, with no recent travel or family history of gastrointestinal disease. Physical examination revealed pale skin, generalized muscle wasting, and mild peripheral edema. Blood tests showed anemia and low albumin levels. Stool tests were negative for infectious organisms.
Endoscopic examination with a small bowel biopsy revealed foamy macrophages in the lamina propria that stained positive with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), consistent with Whipple’s disease. The patient was started on long-term antibiotic therapy, resulting in gradual improvement of symptoms.
A) Acid-fast bacilli
B) Foamy macrophages positive for periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)
C) Non-caseating granulomas
D) Crypt abscesses
A) Hematuria
B) Chronic diarrhea
C) Polyuria
D) Shortness of breath
A) Antiviral therapy
B) Long-term antibiotic therapy
C) Surgery for bowel obstruction
D) Immunosuppressants
A) Elevated liver enzymes
B) Anemia and low albumin levels
C) Hypercalcemia
D) Leukocytosis
Answers
1. B) Foamy macrophages positive for periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)
2. B) Chronic diarrhea
3. B) Long-term antibiotic therapy
4. B) Anemia and low albumin levels
