Tropheryma whipplei Endocarditis: Case Presentation and Review of the Literature
Open Access
- 1 January 2019
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Open Forum Infectious Diseases
- Vol. 6 (1), ofy330
- https://doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofy330
Abstract
Whipple's disease is a rare infective condition, classically presenting with gastrointestinal manifestations. It is increasingly recognized as an important cause of culture-negative endocarditis. We present a case of Whipple's endocarditis presenting with heart failure. A literature review identified 44 publications documenting 169 patients with Whipple's endocarditis. The average age was 57.1 years. There is a clear sex predominance, with 85% of cases being male. Presenting symptoms were primarily articular involvement (52%) and heart failure (41%). In the majority of cases, the diagnosis was made on examination of valvular tissue. Preexisting valvular abnormalities were reported in 21%. The aortic valve was most commonly involved, and multiple valves were involved in 64% and 23% of cases, respectively. Antibiotic therapy was widely varied and included a ceftriaxone, trimethoprim, and sulfamethoxazole combination. The average follow-up was 20 months, and mortality was approximately 24%. Physician awareness is paramount in the diagnosis and management of this rare condition.This publication has 55 references indexed in Scilit:
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