Since Whipple's classic description in 1907 of the disease which bears his name, over 100 documented cases have been reported in the world literature (1). New hope for control and, possibly, cure of this disease has made early diagnosis imperative (2), while new methods of diagnosis have made this possible (3, 4).
Biopsies of peripheral nodes and peroral jejunal biopsy by various suction tubes and capsules have resulted in a definitive histological diagnosis in many cases.
Although Whipple was well aware of the multiple organ involvement, this has been reiterated by the finding of the typical foamy macrophages containing granular