Whipple's Disease Causes
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Causes of Whipple's Disease
Whipple's disease is caused by a specific type of bacteria. This bacterium causes abnormal changes on the wall of the small intestine. These changes disrupt the villi. Villi are tiny, finger-like structures that stick out from the wall of the intestine to help absorb nutrients. As a result, some nutrients are not absorbed properly and do not reach the rest of the body.
There is no evidence that Whipple's disease is passed from person to person. However, there is some evidence that the bacteria may be present in people who are healthy. This suggests that the few people who develop the disease may have an abnormal response to the bacteria. Some people with Whipple's disease may have a genetic defect that makes them more likely to develop the disease.
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