Another Whipple's triad? Pericardial, myocardial and valvular disease in an unusual case presentation from a Canadian perspective.
Christina S ThorntonYinong WangMartin KöebelKathryn BernardTamara BurdzAndrew MaitlandJose G FerrazPaul L BeckAndre FerlandPublished in: BMC cardiovascular disorders (2019)
Our study reports the first known case of Whipple's disease involving pan-valvular endocarditis and constrictive pericarditis. A literature review also highlights this presentation of atypical Whipple's with limited gastrointestinal manifestations. Duodenal involvement was limited and the gold standard of biopsy was not contributory. We also highlight the Canadian epidemiology of the disease from 2012 to 2016 with an approximate 4% prevalence rate amongst submitted samples. Routine investigations for Whipple's disease, including duodenal biopsy, in this case may have missed the diagnosis. A high degree of suspicion was critical for diagnosis of unusual manifestations of Whipple's disease.