Iron loading: a risk factor for Whipple’s disease?

Abstract

Because of impairment of microbial iron acquisition ability, some potential pathogens can cause disease only in iron loaded hosts. Tropheryma whippelii, the etiologic agent of Whipple’s disease, is a possible example. Whipple’s disease is non-contagious, occurs mainly in middle-aged white males, and displays many, but not all, of the complications of hereditary haemochromatosis. Tropheryma whippelii is a gastrointestinal commensal that causes disease in persons who have a Th1–Th2 imbalance. Host susceptibility may be exacerbated by iron loading. Consideration should be given to have patients evaluated for levels of interferon-γ and interleukin-4 as well as for serum ferritin and transferrin iron saturation.