[Microbial pathogenesis of Whipple's disease].

In a case of Whipple's disease with electron microscopic demonstration of rod-shaped bacteria we could isolate Propionibacterium acnes (former name: Corynebacterium anaerobium), Actinomyces, and Lactobacillus from duodenal biopsies by the aid of modern anaerobic culture technique. Simultaneously we found a dysbiosis (increase of anaerobic coca and anaerobes) in du odenal juice. After antibiotic treatment Propionibacterium and Lactobacillus disappeared and an other type of dysbiosis (appearance of Bacteroides) was to be seen. In discussion is a change of immunologic state and following disturbed regulation of microbial colonization in the small bowel of patients with Whipple's disease.