The research progress of Whipple's disease and tropheryma Whipplei

The patients with Whipple's disease(WD) may appear numerous nonspecific symptoms,so they are often misdiagnosed.Tropheryma Whipplei is a ubiquitous commensal bacterium in the environment,but the cases of WD are very rare.Recent studies have shown that some undefined predisposing immune pathologic factors might play a role in the pathogenesis.This paper reviews the research progress of WD and it' s pathogen in epidemiology,immunopathology,clinical manifestations,laboratory diagnosis and the treatment of the disease. Key words: Whipple's Disease; Tropheryma Whipplei