How to Get Rid of Tropical Sprue
Having a Tropical Sprue infestation in your home can cause problems with your furniture, flooring, and ceilings. However, there are ways to treat it. Read on to learn more about the condition and how to get rid of it.
Diagnosis
Symptoms of tropical sprue can vary and are typically nonspecific. A person may experience bloating, abdominal cramping, nausea, and light-colored stools. They are also susceptible to malabsorption. It is important to rule out other causes of diarrhea.
The patient should be evaluated for nutritional status, including vitamin B12 and iron. A complete blood count can help to rule out other causes of anemia. Other tests can include a 72-hour fecal fat determination and serum carotene concentration.
In endemic areas, enteropathy is a common cause of childhood death. The intestinal lining is inflamed and malabsorption occurs. This leads to a variety of symptoms, including anemia. A diagnosis of enteropathy requires a thorough clinical history, and a stool sample is usually analyzed to exclude parasites.
The most common organisms that are associated with tropical sprue are Escherichia coli and Klebsiella. A stool test will also determine if the patient has a Giardia infection.
The earliest morphologic changes in tropical sprue are observed in the upper small intestine. They involve eosinophil infiltration in the lamina propria, elongated crypts, and blunted villi. The terminal ileum shows a more marked inflammation.
The main histologic features of tropical sprue are eosinophils, plasma cells, and lymphocytes. They are also found in celiac disease. A patient with this disorder may have no anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody.
Patients with tropical sprue are typically treated with antibiotics. They can be prescribed for as long as six months. In cases of acute illness, a hospital stay may be necessary. It is important to diagnose tropical sprue as soon as possible. Hospitalization may be necessary if anemia leads to cognitive impairment.
Patients who have traveled to endemic regions may experience spontaneous recovery. However, it is not always possible. The severity of malabsorption will vary, and changes in hygiene and access to medical care will alter the course of the disease.
Etiology
Symptoms of tropical sprue include dry skin, mucus in stools, bloating, cramps, and weight loss. In addition, patients may also experience anemia and malabsorption.
The etiology of tropical sprue is still not clear. Various studies have proposed several possible causes, including bacterial and viral infections. Another possibility is the infection of an unrecognized parasite. In addition, there are regional variations in micronutrients.
The main symptom of tropical sprue is diarrhea. The disease is most common in children and adults. It usually occurs in endemic areas of the tropics. It is also found in Asia, Africa, and Mexico. It is thought to be caused by a type of protozoan parasite called Blastocystis hominis. Other possible causes include coliform bacteria.
Some cases of tropical sprue are asymptomatic. Asymptomatic individuals may have malabsorption and reduced oral intake. A biopsy of the small intestine is usually performed to confirm the diagnosis.
Histologic changes associated with tropical sprue include thickened folds and villous atrophy. The jejunum is the most affected part of the small bowel. The ileum is affected in a less severe fashion.
The most common organisms are Enterobacter cloacae and Klebsiella. Other organisms are Blastocystis hominis, Cryptosporidium parvum, and Isospora Belli. These protozoan parasites have been implicated as the cause of tropical sprue.
The onset of symptoms is usually a gradual process. It may develop into a chronic illness. Some patients have spontaneous remission. Others may need medical therapy. The disease is most common in people living in endemic regions. However, the occurrence of tropical sprue has been reported in people who have migrated to nonendemic regions. It has also been reported by Peace Corps volunteers and US military personnel in the Philippines.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Tropical Sprue may include abdominal pain, loose stools, and mucus in stools. The disease is characterized by the overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine, resulting in malabsorption. This causes a number of problems, including deficiencies in minerals and vitamins that can cause bone maturation problems in children. The patient may also experience anemia, fatigue, and weakness.
Some studies suggest that protozoan parasites are associated with the disease. These protozoa include Isospora Belli, Cyclospora cayetanensis, and Blastocystis hominis.
The pathology of the disease varies from person to person. Typical histologic changes of the small bowel include smoothing, blunting, and inflammatory cells. The small bowel also becomes less efficient at the absorption of water and electrolytes. This causes malabsorptive symptoms, which include abdominal cramping, nausea, and anorexia.
Tropical Sprue is a common disease that occurs mostly in Southeast Asian countries. It can be caught by travelers or residents of these countries. It has also been seen in Malaysia, Singapore, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and India. It is not observed in China or Africa. It can affect any race but is mainly seen in adults.
Tropical Sprue is diagnosed through clinical and laboratory tests. The patient’s stool sample will usually be analyzed to rule out other diseases. Blood tests will show decreased levels of vitamin A, B12, and D. In addition, a 72-hour fecal fat determination can be performed. Depending on the results of the tests, additional testing may be performed.
Antibiotics are typically prescribed. These medications are used for two weeks to six months, depending on the severity of the infection. The disease can result in death. The patient is also advised to take vitamin B12 for several weeks.
Treatment
Symptoms of tropical sprue include abdominal pain, dehydration, and swelling of the intestinal lining. Patients may also experience a reduction in appetite. The treatment for tropical sprue involves the use of antibiotics such as tetracycline and folate. These medications are given for a period of six months.
Although the etiology of tropical sprue is not known, the condition has been associated with protozoan parasites. These parasites cause inflammation of the small intestine and make it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients. Some studies have suggested that bacterial or viral infections may be responsible for the condition.
The most common location of tropical sprue is the distal small intestine. The disease affects both natives and visitors to tropical regions. The most endemic areas are southern India and the Caribbean.
The condition is often diagnosed by small bowel biopsy. A biopsy of the small intestine can be performed with an enteroscopy, which is a procedure in which the doctor examines the cells in the small intestine. This test allows the doctor to see how the intestine looks and if there are any changes.
After diagnosing the disease, the patient is prescribed antibiotics. The treatment usually improves the symptoms within a few weeks. However, relapses are common. In endemic areas, the treatment should be continued for 3 to 6 months.
The treatment for tropical sprue is often successful. Typical treatment is 5 to 10 mg of folic acid per day for at least 6 months. Folate is found in leafy vegetables and can be produced synthetically. During therapy, the body produces more vitamin B12. The benefits of this therapy include weight gain, relief of glossitis, and curing of macrocytic anemia.
The treatment of tropical sprue can be life-saving. If the anemia is severe enough, hospitalization is required.
Prevention
Among the many diseases of the digestive tract, tropical sprue is a rare gastrointestinal disorder that causes malabsorption of substances in the small intestine. This disorder occurs in people living in certain parts of the world. The disease is usually treated with antibiotics.
Symptoms of tropical sprue include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and mucus in the stools. Patients may also have a bloating and decreased appetite.
Malabsorption is a condition in which a person cannot absorb nutrients from food or water. This can be a result of changes in the intestinal tract or hygiene. Often, this condition is associated with a specific micronutrient deficiency. In addition, it can lead to anemia.
Some patients may have low levels of calcium, iron, and folate. These deficiencies can cause cognitive symptoms. These symptoms may require hospitalization. There are also some cases of secondary weight loss. The risk of contracting tropical sprue increases when there are aphthous ulcers and/or intestinal infections.
Tropical sprue is caused by a bacterial or viral infection. It is endemic in certain areas of Asia and the Caribbean. There are few reported cases in the United States. The disease is not common in Africa, Central America, or the Middle East. It has been observed in travelers and Peace Corps volunteers.
A diagnosis of tropical sprue can be made by using physical examination and the response to an antibiotic. The treatment usually involves taking antibiotics for 3 to 6 months. It is recommended to continue the treatment for a month after the patient returns home.
In some cases, the antibiotics are combined with a folic acid supplement. A tissue sample is collected for analysis. The small intestine is then examined to check for the presence of inflammatory cells. The doctor can also see how much damage the small intestine has suffered.
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U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
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Health A-Z. (2022, April 26). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-a-z-4014770
Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
Health Conditions A-Z Sitemap. (n.d.). EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/conditions/
