Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Pathology of the Gastrointestinal Tract pp 657–659Cite as

Tropical Sprue

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:

  • 279 Accesses

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Pathology ((EP))

Synonyms

Non-celiac sprue; Postinfectious sprue; Post-infective tropical malabsorption

Definition

Tropical sprue (TS) is a rare acquired enteropathy of unknown etiology, characterized by malabsorption, multiple nutritional deficiencies, and mucosal abnormalities in the small bowel mainly occurring among the individuals living in or visiting the tropical countries. Tropical sprue results from a nutritional deficiency, or a transmissible microorganism and/or a toxin. Malabsorption is usually initiated by an infection followed by colonization of the small bowel by enterotoxigenic bacteria. Several microorganisms have been suspected, but none are common to all patients. Genetic or ethnic predispositions have also been suggested. Symptoms of TS include chronic non-bloody diarrhea, weight loss, bloating, and abdominal cramps. Physical examination may reveal pallor, angular stomatitis, glossitis, mouth ulcers, and peripheral edema due to protein deficiency. Anemia related to B12and folic...

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD   379.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References and Further Reading

  • Batheja, M. J., Leighton, J., Azueta, A., & Heigh, R. (2010). The face of tropical sprue in 2010. Case Reports in Gastroenterology, 19, 168–172.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghoshal, U. C., & Ranjan, P. (2011). Post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome: The past, the present and the future. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 26(Suppl 3), 94–101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghoshal, U. C., Ghoshal, U., Ayyagari, A., et al. (2003). Tropical sprue is associated with contamination of small bowel with aerobic bacteria and reversible prolongation of orocecal transit time. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 18, 540–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramakrishna, B. S., Venkataraman, S., & Mukhopadhya, A. (2006). Tropical malabsorption. Postgraduate Medical Journal, 82, 779–787.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Veitch, A. M., Kelly, P., Zulu, I. S., et al. (2001). Tropical enteropathy: A T-cell-mediated crypt hyperplastic enteropathy. European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 13, 1175–81.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, Ankara University Medical School, Sihhiye, Ankara, 06100, Turkey

    Arzu Ensari

Authors
  1. Arzu Ensari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Arzu Ensari .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine of Porto University, Centro Hospitalar São João and Ipatimup/i3S, Porto, Portugal

    Fátima Carneiro

  2. Serviço de Anatomia Patológica, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa de Francisco Gentil, Lisbon, Portugal

    Paula Chaves

  3. Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal

    Paula Chaves

  4. Department of Pathology, Ankara University Medical School, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey

    Arzu Ensari

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Ensari, A. (2017). Tropical Sprue. In: Carneiro, F., Chaves, P., Ensari, A. (eds) Pathology of the Gastrointestinal Tract. Encyclopedia of Pathology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40560-5_1543

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40560-5_1543

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-40559-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-40560-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation