Condition Lookup

Whipple’s Disease

Symptoms:
chronic diarrhea; abdominal pain; weight loss; arthritis; fever; lymphadenopathy; neurological symptoms (e.g., cognitive changes)

Root Cause:
Caused by Tropheryma whipplei, a Gram-positive bacterium that affects the small intestine and other organs, leading to systemic inflammation and malabsorption.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Small bowel biopsy showing periodic acid–Schiff (PAS)-positive macrophages, PCR testing for Tropheryma whipplei, and blood or cerebrospinal fluid tests if systemic involvement is suspected.

Treatment:
Long-term antibiotic therapy, starting with intravenous ceftriaxone or penicillin, followed by oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for 1–2 years.

Medications:
Ceftriaxone or penicillin (initial intravenous treatment) followed by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (a sulfonamide combination for extended therapy).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, affecting approximately 1–3 cases per million people annually, typically seen in middle-aged Caucasian males.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Unknown; may include genetic predisposition or environmental exposure.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good if treated early; without treatment, the disease is usually fatal. Relapses are possible and require monitoring.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Systemic involvement affecting the heart (endocarditis), central nervous system, and joints, potentially leading to life-threatening outcomes if untreated.

Clostridium difficile Infection

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: Large Intestine (Colon) Disorders

Sub-category: Infectious Disorders

Symptoms:
watery diarrhea; abdominal pain or cramping; fever; nausea; loss of appetite; weight loss; fatigue; blood or pus in stool in severe cases

Root Cause:
Overgrowth of Clostridium difficile bacteria in the colon, often after disruption of normal gut flora due to antibiotic use. This leads to toxin production and colonic inflammation.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Stool tests for C. difficile toxins (toxin A and B), PCR assays for toxin genes, and enzyme immunoassays; sometimes colonoscopy or imaging studies if complications are suspected.

Treatment:
Discontinuation of the offending antibiotic, initiating specific antibiotic therapy targeting C. difficile, fluid replacement for dehydration, probiotics, and in severe cases, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).

Medications:
Vancomycin (oral) or fidaxomicin are the primary treatments; metronidazole may be used in mild cases. Vancomycin and fidaxomicin are antibiotics specifically targeting C. difficile. Bezlotoxumab , a monoclonal antibody, may be used to reduce recurrence in high-risk patients.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Most common cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea; approximately 500,000 cases annually in the U.S.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Recent antibiotic use, hospitalization, advanced age, weakened immune system, gastrointestinal surgery, or a history of C. difficile infection.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With prompt treatment, most recover fully; however, recurrent infections occur in about 20% of patients. Severe cases can lead to complications, such as toxic megacolon or death.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Recurrence, dehydration, toxic megacolon, bowel perforation, sepsis, and death in severe cases.

Infectious Colitis (e.g., Viral, Bacterial, Parasitic)

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: Large Intestine (Colon) Disorders

Sub-category: Infectious Disorders

Symptoms:
diarrhea (often with blood or mucus); abdominal pain; fever; nausea; vomiting; fatigue; dehydration; weight loss

Root Cause:
Infection of the colon by pathogens such as bacteria (e.g., Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli, Campylobacter), viruses (e.g., norovirus, rotavirus), or parasites (e.g., Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia). This leads to inflammation and damage to the intestinal lining.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Stool tests for pathogens (culture, PCR, or antigen detection), blood tests for inflammatory markers, and colonoscopy in chronic or severe cases to assess mucosal damage.

Treatment:
Supportive care (hydration, electrolyte replacement) and pathogen-specific treatment. Antibiotics for bacterial infections, antiparasitic medications for parasitic infections, and sometimes antiviral therapy for severe viral infections.

Medications:
Antibiotics like ciprofloxacin or azithromycin for bacterial infections; metronidazole or tinidazole for parasitic infections like Giardia or Entamoeba; oral rehydration salts for dehydration. Antibiotics are categorized as antimicrobials, while antiparasitic drugs target protozoa.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Infectious colitis is a common cause of diarrhea worldwide, with bacterial pathogens accounting for 85% of foodborne outbreaks in developed countries.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Contaminated food or water, international travel, poor hygiene, immunosuppression, and exposure to infected individuals.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Most cases resolve within days to weeks with appropriate treatment, but severe infections can lead to prolonged illness or death, particularly in vulnerable populations.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS, associated with E. coli O157:H7), chronic post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome, and intestinal perforation.

Perianal Abscess

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: Rectum and Anus Disorders

Sub-category: Infectious Disorders

Symptoms:
pain near the anus; swelling around the anus; redness; warmth; fever; pus drainage from the area

Root Cause:
Caused by infection in the anal glands, leading to pus accumulation in the tissues near the anus.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is usually clinical based on physical examination, with imaging (such as ultrasound or MRI) used in unclear cases.

Treatment:
Drainage of the abscess through incision and, in some cases, antibiotics to address infection.

Medications:
Antibiotics may be prescribed, including broad-spectrum agents like amoxicillin-clavulanate or metronidazole , particularly if cellulitis or systemic infection is present.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common, affecting approximately 1 in 10,000 people annually, more frequent in males.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Crohn's disease, diabetes, immunosuppression, and poor hygiene.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with timely drainage; recurrence can occur if an underlying fistula develops.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Recurrence, formation of an anal fistula, systemic infection (sepsis), or chronic pain.