A 67-year-old man with anemia was referred to our hospital. He had suffered from rheumatoid arthritis for ten years. Two months before admission he had been an inpatient at another hospital because of heart failure. He presented with edema, slightly elevated temperature and effusion in the right knee.
Laboratory findings revealed a chronic inflammation and an anemia of iron malabsorption. Duodenal histology showed PAS-positive macrophages typical for Whipple's disease. Tropheryma whippelii-DNA was found by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in synovial and cerebrospinal fluid and broncho-alveolar lavage.
Antibiotic therapy was initiated, the antirheumatic medication terminated and iron was administered intravenously. The outcome was satisfactory.
Rare systemic diseases should be considered in patients presenting with symptoms involving several organs. Whipple's disease can be cured only by adequate antibiotic therapy. The use of PCR facilitates the correct diagnosis.