Clinical features associated with tropheryma whipplei infection in an european setting - pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of whipple's disease

Objective

Whipple's disease (WD) is a rare, multifactorial disease, in which the bacterium Tropheryma whipplei causes infections in predisposed hosts. We plan to set up the first multidisciplinary consortium to improve our understanding of the interaction of host, agent and environment in this disorder. This includes a coordinated collection of different tissues from WD patients and controls, studies of host factors (characterizing the underlying immunogenetic defect) and of environmental factors (occurrence of T. whipplei). In order to improve diagnosis, microbiologic characterization of the agent will include studies of growth conditions (allowing antibiotic susceptibility testing) and sequencing of the bacillus. Prospective therapy studies aim to improve the current antibiotic therapy and to test beneficial effects of new supportive treatments. This should lead to a significant improvement of the patients' disease burden.

Programme(s)

• FP5-LIFE QUALITY - Specific Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources", 1998-2002

Topic(s)

• 1.1.1.-7. - Chronic and degenerative diseases, cancer, diabetes, cardivascular diseases and rare diseases

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

SAARLAND UNIVERSITY

Address

Kirrberger Str.
66421 Homburg
Germany

Participants (8)

CHARITE UNIVERSITAETMEDIZIN BERLIN - CAMPUS BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

Germany

Address

Hindenburgdamm, 30
12200 Berlin

DRK KRANKENHAUS NEUWIED

Germany

Address

Markstr. 104
56564 Neuwied

EUROPEAN RESEARCH AND PROJECT OFFICE

Germany

Address

Science Park Saar, Stuhlsatzenhausweg 69
66123 Saarbruecken

IRCCS POLICLINICO SAN MATTEO - ISTITUTO DI RICOVERO E CURA A CARATTERE SCIENTIFICO

Italy

Address

Piazzale Camillo Golgi 19
27100 Pavia

KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN

Belgium

Address

Minderbroedersstraat 12
3000 Louvain / Leuven

MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN E.V.

Germany

Address

Ihnestrasse 73
14195 Berlin

MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF VIENNA

Austria

Address

Waehringer Guertel, 18-20
1090 Wien

UNIVERSITE DE LA MEDITERRANEE D'AIX-MARSEILLE II

France

Address

Boulevard Jean Moulin 27
13385 Marseille