[Scurvy and acquired ichthyosis associated to Whipple's disease]

Abstract

The skin manifestations, except for hyperpigmentation, are uncommon in Whipple's disease (WD). We present the case of a 48-year-old male with chronic diarrhea and long course general syndrome associated to neurological manifestations. Skin examination revealed lesions in the lower limbs and gums that were clinically consistent with scurvy and were confirmed by histological study and measurement of blood vitamin C levels. Furthermore, he had lesions that were clinically and histologically consistent with acquired ichthyosis. The digestive tract biopsy study showed non-necrotizing epithelioid granulomas without the presence of PAS positive macrophages. The patient was diagnosed of Whipple's disease through the identification of genomic fragments of Tropheryma Whippelii by PCR in duodenal samples. He was treated with antibiotics for two years with resolution of the cutaneous and digestive picture but with partial improvement of the neurological symptoms. In the literature reviewed, we did not find any case of acquired ichthyosis associated to WD and only one of scurvy secondary to this rare disease.