Overview

Whipple disease is a rare bacterial infection that most often affects your joints and digestive system. Whipple disease interferes with normal digestion by impairing the breakdown of foods, and hampering your body's ability to absorb nutrients, such as fats and carbohydrates.

Whipple disease can also infect other organs, including your brain, heart and eyes.

Without proper treatment, Whipple disease can be serious or fatal. However, a course of antibiotics can treat Whipple disease.