Whipple Disease

**Definition:** A chronic systemic infection by a gram-positive bacterium, Tropheryma whippelii, mainly affecting the SMALL INTESTINE but also the JOINTS; CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM; and the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. The disease is characterized by fat deposits in the INTESTINAL MUCOSA and LYMPH NODES, malabsorption, DIARRHEA with fatty stools, MALNUTRITION, and ARTHRITIS.

**Tree numbers:** - C01.150.252.410.040.137.631 - C06.405.469.637.925 - C18.452.603.925

**Synonyms:** - Lipodystrophy, Intestinal - Whipple's Disease