Scurvy as an Initial Manifestation of Whipple's Disease
Authors: MARC L. BERGER
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1984)

Brief Reports1 July 1984Scurvy as an Initial Manifestation of Whipple's DiseaseMARC L. BERGER, M.D., DANIEL M. SIEGEL, M.D., EDWARD L. LEE, M.D.MARC L. BERGER, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, DANIEL M. SIEGEL, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, EDWARD L. LEE, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-101-1-58 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptWhipple's disease is a systemic illness that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract resulting in malabsorption, diarrhea, and weight loss. We report the case of a man with Whipple's disease presenting initially with cutaneous and gastrointestinal manifestations of scurvy. To our knowledge, this is the first observed association between Whipple's disease and scurvy. Endoscopic findings in scurvy have not been reported previously.A 50-year-old white man was hospitalized for evaluation of fatigue and weakness. He had a 3-month history of anorexia, a 42-kg weight loss, intermittent burning epigastric pain, and foul-smelling diarrhea containing no overt blood, pus, or mucus. Several weeks...References1. HODGES R. Scurvy. In: BEATON GH, BENGOE JM, eds., Nutrition in Preventative Medicine. Geneva: World Health Organization; 1976:120-5. (WHO Monograph Series, no. 62). Google Scholar2. CHAZAN J and MISTILIS S. The pathophysiology of scurvy: a report of seven cases. Am J Med. 1963;34:350-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. WALTER J. Scurvy resulting from a self imposed diet. West J Med. 1979;130:177-9. MedlineGoogle Scholar4. HIEBERT C. Gastroesophageal reflux and ascorbic acid insufficiency. Ann Thorac Surg. 1977;24:108-112. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. STEWART J and BOOTH C. Ascorbic acid absorption in malabsorption. Clin Sci. 1964;27:15-22. MedlineGoogle Scholar6. WILLIAMSON J, GOLDBERG A, and MOORE F. Leukocyte ascorbic acid levels in patients with malabsorption or previous gastric surgery. Br Med J. 1967;2:23-5. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. GERSON C and FABRY E. Ascorbic acid deficiency and fistula formation in regional enteritis. Gastroenterology. 1974;67:428-33. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. LINAKER B. Scurvy and vitamin C deficiency in Crohn's disease. Postgrad Med J. 1979;55:26-9. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. VOLPICELLI N, SALYER W, MILLIGAN F, BAYLESS T, and YARDLEY J. The endoscopic appearance of the duodenum in Whipple's disease. Johns Hopkins Med J. 1976;138:19-23. MedlineGoogle Scholar10. PUPPALA A, SINGH S, and MUNASWAMY M. Whipple's disease: endoscopic documentation, light and electron microscopic features in an 80-year old man. Am J Gastroenterol. 1978;70:407-11. MedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: MARC L. BERGER, M.D.; DANIEL M. SIEGEL, M.D.; EDWARD L. LEE, M.D.Affiliations: The University of Texas Health Science Center Dallas Veterans Administration Medical Center Dallas, Texas PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byThe epidemiology, impact, and diagnosis of micronutrient nutritional dermatoses part 1: Zinc, selenium, copper, vitamin A, and vitamin CS2168 Gastrointestinal Manifestations of ScurvyRheumatic Manifestations of ScurvyScurvy as the Presenting Illness of Whipple’s Disease Exacerbated by Treatment with Etanercept in a Patient with Ankylosing SpondylitisSkin, muscle and joint disease from the 17th century: scurvyErythema nodosum–like lesions in treated Whipple's disease: Signs of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndromeA landlubber with an ancient mariner's leaky vesselsEscorbuto secundario a depresiónVitamina CEscorbuto e ictiosis adquirida asociadas a enfermedad de WhippleLe scorbut n'a pas disparu : histoire d'une maladie réémergenteMusculoskeletal manifestations of scurvyManifestations rhumatologiques du scorbutCarences en vitamine CEscorbuto asociado a enfermedad celíacaAdult scurvyScurvy and the gastrointestinal tractCarence en vitamine C: cause rare d'anémie grave mal toléréeWhipple’s disease: endoscopic aspects before and after therapyIntestinal bleeding in patients with Whipple's diseaseSouthern Internal Medicine Conference: Whipple’s Disease 1 July 1984Volume 101, Issue 1Page: 58-59KeywordsBloodDiarrheaDysenteryFatigueGastrointestinal tractMucusPainSystemic diseasesWeight loss ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 July 1984 PDF downloadLoading ...