[Whipple disease associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction after antibiotic therapy].
BACKGROUND
Pulmonary hypertension is an uncommon feature of Whipple's disease and the underlying pathophysiological mechanism remains a subject of debate.


METHODS
A 57-year-old woman was hospitalized for exploration of migrating joint pain that had developed for 5 years. Histologically proven Whipple's disease was diagnosed on duodenal biopsies. The lung angiogram performed to explore signs of right heart failure demonstrated pulmonary hypertension and ruled out pulmonary embolism. Abundant pericardial effusion developed progressively. Antibiotic therapy using sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprime led to a systemic Jarisch Herxheilmer reaction. The pulmonary hypertension resolved rapidly, the pericardial effusion more slowly.


CONCLUSIONS
The pulmonary hypertension in this patient appeared to be directly related to Whipple's disease, probably via vascular infiltration by Tropheryma whippeli.
Peschard
S
S
Service de Médecine interne, Hôpital de Meulan-Les Mureaux, 1 rue du Fort, F78250 Meulan. sylvie.peschard@free.fr
Brinkane
A
A
Bergheul
S
S
Crickx
L
L
Gaudin
B
B
Morcelet
M
M
Levy
R
R
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000009:adverse effects; D008061:Whipple Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination