Tropheryma whipplei

**Semantic type:** Bacterium

**Definition:** A species of aerobic, Gram positive, rod shaped bacteria assigned to the phylum Actinobacteria. This species can form filaments and has a membrane that is external to the cell wall. T. whipplei is found in soil and is a commensal organism of the oral cavity but may become pathogenic, being the causative agent of Whipple's Disease.

**Synonyms:** - TROPHERYMA WHIPPLEI