Electron microscopy in the long-term follow-up of Whipple's disease. Effect of antibiotics.
The electron-microscopic and light-microscopic findings on jejunal biopsies from a case of Whipple's disease are described. Seven biopsies were obtained over a 3-year period. Rapid clinical recovery was accompanied by the disappearance of interstitial and intracellular bacteria from the lamina propria. The pathognomonic PAS-positive material on light microscopy corresponding to the phagocytic vacuoles in the macrophages of the lamina propria decreased markedly in amount but persisted throughout the 3-year-period. The sequential changes in the jejunal mucosa and in particular those occurring in macrophages are described and their relation to pathogenesis is discussed.
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008061:Whipple Disease / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents