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Neurologic manifestations of Whipple’s disease

Current Infectious Disease Reports volume 8, pages 301–306 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Whipple’s disease is a rare, multisystem, infectious disorder caused by the bacterium Tropheryma whippelii. Patients with central nervous system (CNS) involvement may present in a variety of ways, including cognitive impairment, psychiatric manifestations, gaze palsies, upper motor neuron signs, and hypothalamic dysfunction. A tissue-based diagnosis of Whipple’s disease is made based on the presence of periodic acid-Schiff-stained material or by the identification of bacterial RNA using polymerase chain reaction. To avoid relapse, patients should be treated with antimicrobial agents that penetrate the CNS, and therapy should be continued for at least 1 year.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unit 198, Neurological Institute, 710 West 168th Street, 10032, New York, NY, USA

    Elan D. Louis MD, MS

Authors
  1. Mara M. Lugassy MD
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  2. Elan D. Louis MD, MS
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Correspondence to Elan D. Louis MD, MS.

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Lugassy, M.M., Louis, E.D. Neurologic manifestations of Whipple’s disease. Curr Infect Dis Rep 8, 301–306 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-006-0075-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-006-0075-8

Keywords

  • Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
  • Fatal Familial Insomnia
  • Central Nervous System Symptom
  • Motor Neuron Sign
  • Tropheryma Whipplei