Tropheryma

Tropheryma is a genus of bacteria in the family Actinomycetaceae. The only known species in this genus is Tropheryma whipplei, which is the causative agent of Whipple's disease, a rare and potentially fatal systemic disorder.

Classification

The genus Tropheryma belongs to the family Actinomycetaceae, which is a large family of Gram-positive bacteria. The name Tropheryma is derived from the Greek words "tropho" meaning "to nourish" and "eryma" meaning "barrier", referring to the bacterium's ability to interfere with the normal absorption of nutrients in the small intestine.

Tropheryma whipplei

Tropheryma whipplei is the only known species in the genus Tropheryma. It is a rod-shaped bacterium that is not easily cultured in the laboratory. T. whipplei is the causative agent of Whipple's disease, a rare and potentially fatal systemic disorder that can affect any part of the body, but most commonly affects the small intestine.

Whipple's disease

Whipple's disease is a rare and potentially fatal systemic disorder caused by infection with Tropheryma whipplei. The disease is characterized by weight loss, diarrhea, malabsorption, and arthritis. If left untreated, the disease can lead to serious complications, including heart disease, neurological problems, and death.

Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis of Whipple's disease is often challenging due to its nonspecific symptoms and the difficulty in culturing T. whipplei in the laboratory. The most definitive method of diagnosis is through a small bowel biopsy, which can reveal the presence of the bacterium. Treatment typically involves long-term antibiotic therapy, which can be effective in eliminating the infection if started early.

See also

• Actinomycetaceae
• Whipple's disease

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