The Experts below are selected from a list of 1485 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Didier Raoult - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Tropheryma whipplei Increases Expression of Human Leukocyte Antigen-G on Monocytes to Reduce Tumor Necrosis Factor and Promote Bacterial Replication
Gastroenterology, 2018Co-Authors: Eya Ben Azzouz, Jean-louis Mege, Didier Raoult, Asma Boumaza, Soraya Mezouar, Matthieu Bardou, Federico Carlini, Christophe Picard, Benoit DesnuesAbstract:Infection with Tropheryma whipplei has a range of effects-some patients can be chronic carriers without developing any symptoms whereas others can develop systemic Whipple disease, characterized by a lack a protective inflammatory immune response. Alterations in major histocompatibility complex, class I, G (HLA-G) function have been associated with several diseases. We investigated the role of HLA-G during T whipplei infection.
-
Whipple's disease and Tropheryma whipplei infections: when to suspect them and how to diagnose and treat them
Current opinion in infectious diseases, 2018Co-Authors: Jean Christophe Lagier, Didier RaoultAbstract:Purpose of reviewThe delay between first clinical signs and diagnosis of Whipple's disease and Tropheryma whipplei infections is more than 6 years, and relapses are frequently observed, resulting in a need for clinicians to be aware of this infection.Recent findings18 FDG-PET is useful in the diagno
-
Acute infections caused by Tropheryma whipplei
Future Microbiology, 2017Co-Authors: Jean Christophe Lagier, Florence Fenollar, Didier RaoultAbstract:Tropheryma whipplei is the causative bacterium of Whipple's disease. Its first culture has led to an enlargement of the field of the caused infections. Here, we comprehensively review acute T. whipplei infections. In a cohort study featuring 4000 children, T. whipplei was significantly more common in patients with diarrhea (4%) than in those without (1.7%). A case-controlled study highlighted 58 patients suffering from pneumonia with the detection of T. whipplei in their bronchoalveolar fluids. Finally, a recent study detected T. whipplei in the blood of 36 febrile patients experiencing pulmonary symptoms in a rural area of Senegal. T. whipplei is definitively an agent of acute gastroenteritis, a cause of nonmalarial fever in Africa, and probably a cause of pulmonary infections.
-
Tropheryma whipplei as a Cause of Epidemic Fever, Senegal, 2010-2012
Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2016Co-Authors: Hubert Bassene, Pavel Ratmanov, Didier Raoult, Oleg Mediannikov, Cristina Socolovschi, Alpha K. Keita, Cheikh Sokhna, Florence FenollarAbstract:The bacterium Tropheryma whipplei, which causes Whipple disease in ă humans, is commonly detected in the feces of persons in Africa. It is ă also associated with acute infections. We investigated the role of T ă whipplei in febrile patients from 2 rural villages in Senegal. During ă June 2010 March 2012, we collected whole-blood finger-prick samples from ă 786 febrile and 385 healthy villagers. T whipplei was detected in blood ă specimens from 36 (4.6%) of the 786 febrile patients and in 1 (0.25%) ă of the 385 apparently healthy persons. Of the 37 T whipplei cases, 26 ă (70.2%) were detected in August 2010. Familial cases and a potential ă new genotype were observed. The patients' symptoms were mainly headache ă (68.9%) and cough (36.1%). Our findings suggest that T whipplei is a ă cause of epidemic fever in Senegal.
-
Deglycosylation of Tropheryma whipplei biofilm and discrepancies between diagnostic results during Whipple’s disease progression
Scientific reports, 2016Co-Authors: Gilles Audoly, Hubert Lepidi, Florence Fenollar, Jean Christophe Lagier, Didier RaoultAbstract:Whipple's disease is a systemic infectious disease associated with the bacterium Tropheryma whipplei. Numerous reports have presented puzzling discrepancies between diagnosis methods. We addressed this confusion using fluorescent in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence assays to evaluate 34 duodenal biopsies and 1 lymph node biopsy from Whipple's patients. We showed the presence of bacteria in both CK20(+) epithelial cells and CD68(+) macrophages. Bacteria are found embedded in a biofilm hindering the detection of T. whipplei. Only after treatment of biopsies by glycosidases, co-localization of T. whipplei RNA/DNA with bacterial proteins was restored. Moreover, using 13 bronchoalveolar lavages and 7 duodenal biopsies, we found that hydrolysis of the biofilm weakened the bacteria, facilitated bacterial DNA extraction and improved the sensitivity of qPCR detection by up to 1000x opening new perspectives for diagnostic and scientific approaches.
Florence Fenollar - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Tropheryma whipplei intestinal colonization in italian and migrant population a retrospective observational study
Future Microbiology, 2019Co-Authors: Anna Beltrame, Florence Fenollar, Andrea Ragusa, Francesca Perandin, Fabio Formenti, Sophie Edouard, Maureen Laroche, Giorgio Zavarise, Francesco Doro, Giovanni GiorliAbstract:Aim To obtain the first molecular epidemiological survey of Tropheryma whipplei intestinal colonization in Italy. Materials & methods: Retrospective, observational study to assess the prevalence of T. whipplei, the causative agent of Whipple's disease, in stool samples (real-time PCR) of patients attending the Center for Tropical Diseases (Italy) and risk factors associated. Results Overall prevalence was 6.9% (85/1240). The younger age group showed a significantly higher rate than older age group (12.7 vs 5.9%, p = 0.002). The prevalence was 4.9% for Italians and 9.3% for migrants (p = 0.003). Among the latter, children less than 10 years had higher prevalence than older ones (17.3 vs 7.3%, p = 0.003). The young age, male gender and Giardia duodenalis and Entamoeba histolytica coinfection were risk factors. Conclusion Our study confirms an increased risk of acquiring T. whipplei infection during childhood, under poor sanitary conditions.
-
Acute infections caused by Tropheryma whipplei
Future Microbiology, 2017Co-Authors: Jean Christophe Lagier, Florence Fenollar, Didier RaoultAbstract:Tropheryma whipplei is the causative bacterium of Whipple's disease. Its first culture has led to an enlargement of the field of the caused infections. Here, we comprehensively review acute T. whipplei infections. In a cohort study featuring 4000 children, T. whipplei was significantly more common in patients with diarrhea (4%) than in those without (1.7%). A case-controlled study highlighted 58 patients suffering from pneumonia with the detection of T. whipplei in their bronchoalveolar fluids. Finally, a recent study detected T. whipplei in the blood of 36 febrile patients experiencing pulmonary symptoms in a rural area of Senegal. T. whipplei is definitively an agent of acute gastroenteritis, a cause of nonmalarial fever in Africa, and probably a cause of pulmonary infections.
-
Tropheryma whipplei associated with diarrhoea in young children
Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 2016Co-Authors: Florence Fenollar, P Minodier, Herve Richet, A Boutin, R Laporte, V Bremond, Guilhem Noel, S Miramont, Samir Benkouiten, Jean Christophe LagierAbstract:Tropheryma whipplei was detected in preliminary studies in faeces of young children with diarrhoea and also in faeces of asymptomatic persons, not only in Europe but also in Africa. In this study, the link between this bacterium and the presence of acute diarrhoea was evaluated in a large group of children. From December 2009 to January 2013, rectal swabs collected from 3796 children in the emergency departments of university hospitals in Marseille, France, were analysed: 555 children (245 female and 310 male, from 6 days to 6 years old) with acute diarrhoea defined as at least three loose stools per day for <1 week and 3241 children (1444 female and 1797 male, from 22 days to 6 years old) without diarrhoea. Specific quantitative real-time PCR was performed to detect the presence of T. whipplei and of two enteric pathogens Clostridium difficile and Giardia duodenalis. Tropheryma whipplei was significantly more common in children with diarrhoea (22/555, 4%) than without (56/3241, 1.7%; p 0.001). Neither C. difficile nor G. duodenalis showed this association. For C. difficile, 39 of 531 (7.3%) children with diarrhoea were positive versus 184 of 3119 (5.9%) of children without diarrhoea (p 0.25). For G. duodenalis, 2 of 529 (0.37%) children with diarrhoea were positive versus 5 of 3119 (0.16%) children without diarrhoea (p 0.26). Tropheryma whipplei was found more commonly in autumn. Tropheryma whipplei is significantly associated with diarrhoea in children, suggesting that the bacterium may be a cause of acute diarrhoea.
-
Tropheryma whipplei associated with diarrhoea in young children
Clinical microbiology and infection : the official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 2016Co-Authors: Florence Fenollar, P Minodier, Herve Richet, A Boutin, R Laporte, V Bremond, Guilhem Noel, S Miramont, Samir Benkouiten, Jean Christophe LagierAbstract:Tropheryma whipplei was detected in preliminary studies in faeces of young children with diarrhoea and also in faeces of asymptomatic persons, not only in Europe but also in Africa. In this study, the link between this bacterium and the presence of acute diarrhoea was evaluated in a large group of children. From December 2009 to January 2013, rectal swabs collected from 3796 children in the emergency departments of university hospitals in Marseille, France, were analysed: 555 children (245 female and 310 male, from 6 days to 6 years old) with acute diarrhoea defined as at least three loose stools per day for
-
Tropheryma whipplei as a Cause of Epidemic Fever, Senegal, 2010-2012
Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2016Co-Authors: Hubert Bassene, Pavel Ratmanov, Didier Raoult, Oleg Mediannikov, Cristina Socolovschi, Alpha K. Keita, Cheikh Sokhna, Florence FenollarAbstract:The bacterium Tropheryma whipplei, which causes Whipple disease in ă humans, is commonly detected in the feces of persons in Africa. It is ă also associated with acute infections. We investigated the role of T ă whipplei in febrile patients from 2 rural villages in Senegal. During ă June 2010 March 2012, we collected whole-blood finger-prick samples from ă 786 febrile and 385 healthy villagers. T whipplei was detected in blood ă specimens from 36 (4.6%) of the 786 febrile patients and in 1 (0.25%) ă of the 385 apparently healthy persons. Of the 37 T whipplei cases, 26 ă (70.2%) were detected in August 2010. Familial cases and a potential ă new genotype were observed. The patients' symptoms were mainly headache ă (68.9%) and cough (36.1%). Our findings suggest that T whipplei is a ă cause of epidemic fever in Senegal.
Jean Christophe Lagier - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Whipple's disease and Tropheryma whipplei infections: when to suspect them and how to diagnose and treat them
Current opinion in infectious diseases, 2018Co-Authors: Jean Christophe Lagier, Didier RaoultAbstract:Purpose of reviewThe delay between first clinical signs and diagnosis of Whipple's disease and Tropheryma whipplei infections is more than 6 years, and relapses are frequently observed, resulting in a need for clinicians to be aware of this infection.Recent findings18 FDG-PET is useful in the diagno
-
Acute infections caused by Tropheryma whipplei
Future Microbiology, 2017Co-Authors: Jean Christophe Lagier, Florence Fenollar, Didier RaoultAbstract:Tropheryma whipplei is the causative bacterium of Whipple's disease. Its first culture has led to an enlargement of the field of the caused infections. Here, we comprehensively review acute T. whipplei infections. In a cohort study featuring 4000 children, T. whipplei was significantly more common in patients with diarrhea (4%) than in those without (1.7%). A case-controlled study highlighted 58 patients suffering from pneumonia with the detection of T. whipplei in their bronchoalveolar fluids. Finally, a recent study detected T. whipplei in the blood of 36 febrile patients experiencing pulmonary symptoms in a rural area of Senegal. T. whipplei is definitively an agent of acute gastroenteritis, a cause of nonmalarial fever in Africa, and probably a cause of pulmonary infections.
-
Tropheryma whipplei associated with diarrhoea in young children
Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 2016Co-Authors: Florence Fenollar, P Minodier, Herve Richet, A Boutin, R Laporte, V Bremond, Guilhem Noel, S Miramont, Samir Benkouiten, Jean Christophe LagierAbstract:Tropheryma whipplei was detected in preliminary studies in faeces of young children with diarrhoea and also in faeces of asymptomatic persons, not only in Europe but also in Africa. In this study, the link between this bacterium and the presence of acute diarrhoea was evaluated in a large group of children. From December 2009 to January 2013, rectal swabs collected from 3796 children in the emergency departments of university hospitals in Marseille, France, were analysed: 555 children (245 female and 310 male, from 6 days to 6 years old) with acute diarrhoea defined as at least three loose stools per day for <1 week and 3241 children (1444 female and 1797 male, from 22 days to 6 years old) without diarrhoea. Specific quantitative real-time PCR was performed to detect the presence of T. whipplei and of two enteric pathogens Clostridium difficile and Giardia duodenalis. Tropheryma whipplei was significantly more common in children with diarrhoea (22/555, 4%) than without (56/3241, 1.7%; p 0.001). Neither C. difficile nor G. duodenalis showed this association. For C. difficile, 39 of 531 (7.3%) children with diarrhoea were positive versus 184 of 3119 (5.9%) of children without diarrhoea (p 0.25). For G. duodenalis, 2 of 529 (0.37%) children with diarrhoea were positive versus 5 of 3119 (0.16%) children without diarrhoea (p 0.26). Tropheryma whipplei was found more commonly in autumn. Tropheryma whipplei is significantly associated with diarrhoea in children, suggesting that the bacterium may be a cause of acute diarrhoea.
-
Tropheryma whipplei associated with diarrhoea in young children
Clinical microbiology and infection : the official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 2016Co-Authors: Florence Fenollar, P Minodier, Herve Richet, A Boutin, R Laporte, V Bremond, Guilhem Noel, S Miramont, Samir Benkouiten, Jean Christophe LagierAbstract:Tropheryma whipplei was detected in preliminary studies in faeces of young children with diarrhoea and also in faeces of asymptomatic persons, not only in Europe but also in Africa. In this study, the link between this bacterium and the presence of acute diarrhoea was evaluated in a large group of children. From December 2009 to January 2013, rectal swabs collected from 3796 children in the emergency departments of university hospitals in Marseille, France, were analysed: 555 children (245 female and 310 male, from 6 days to 6 years old) with acute diarrhoea defined as at least three loose stools per day for
-
Deglycosylation of Tropheryma whipplei biofilm and discrepancies between diagnostic results during Whipple’s disease progression
Scientific reports, 2016Co-Authors: Gilles Audoly, Hubert Lepidi, Florence Fenollar, Jean Christophe Lagier, Didier RaoultAbstract:Whipple's disease is a systemic infectious disease associated with the bacterium Tropheryma whipplei. Numerous reports have presented puzzling discrepancies between diagnosis methods. We addressed this confusion using fluorescent in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence assays to evaluate 34 duodenal biopsies and 1 lymph node biopsy from Whipple's patients. We showed the presence of bacteria in both CK20(+) epithelial cells and CD68(+) macrophages. Bacteria are found embedded in a biofilm hindering the detection of T. whipplei. Only after treatment of biopsies by glycosidases, co-localization of T. whipplei RNA/DNA with bacterial proteins was restored. Moreover, using 13 bronchoalveolar lavages and 7 duodenal biopsies, we found that hydrolysis of the biofilm weakened the bacteria, facilitated bacterial DNA extraction and improved the sensitivity of qPCR detection by up to 1000x opening new perspectives for diagnostic and scientific approaches.
Hubert Lepidi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Deglycosylation of Tropheryma whipplei biofilm and discrepancies between diagnostic results during Whipple’s disease progression
Scientific reports, 2016Co-Authors: Gilles Audoly, Hubert Lepidi, Florence Fenollar, Jean Christophe Lagier, Didier RaoultAbstract:Whipple's disease is a systemic infectious disease associated with the bacterium Tropheryma whipplei. Numerous reports have presented puzzling discrepancies between diagnosis methods. We addressed this confusion using fluorescent in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence assays to evaluate 34 duodenal biopsies and 1 lymph node biopsy from Whipple's patients. We showed the presence of bacteria in both CK20(+) epithelial cells and CD68(+) macrophages. Bacteria are found embedded in a biofilm hindering the detection of T. whipplei. Only after treatment of biopsies by glycosidases, co-localization of T. whipplei RNA/DNA with bacterial proteins was restored. Moreover, using 13 bronchoalveolar lavages and 7 duodenal biopsies, we found that hydrolysis of the biofilm weakened the bacteria, facilitated bacterial DNA extraction and improved the sensitivity of qPCR detection by up to 1000x opening new perspectives for diagnostic and scientific approaches.
-
Deglycosylation of Tropheryma whipplei biofilm and discrepancies between diagnostic results during Whipple's disease progression
Scientific Reports, 2016Co-Authors: Gilles Audoly, Florence Fenollar, Jean Christophe Lagier, Hubert LepidiAbstract:Whipple's disease is a systemic infectious disease associated with the bacterium Tropheryma whipplei. Numerous reports have presented puzzling discrepancies between diagnosis methods. We addressed this confusion using fluorescent in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence assays to evaluate 34 duodenal biopsies and 1 lymph node biopsy from Whipple's patients. We showed the presence of bacteria in both CK20(+) epithelial cells and CD68(+) macrophages. Bacteria are found embedded in a biofilm hindering the detection of T. whipplei. Only after treatment of biopsies by glycosidases, co-localization of T. whipplei RNA/DNA with bacterial proteins was restored. Moreover, using 13 bronchoalveolar lavages and 7 duodenal biopsies, we found that hydrolysis of the biofilm weakened the bacteria, facilitated bacterial DNA extraction and improved the sensitivity of qPCR detection by up to 1000x opening new perspectives for diagnostic and scientific approaches.
-
Tropheryma whipplei endocarditis
Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2013Co-Authors: Florence Fenollar, M Celard, Pierre-edouard Fournier, Hubert Lepidi, Jean Christophe Lagier, Didier RaoultAbstract:Tropheryma whipplei endocarditis differs from classic Whipple disease, which primarily affects the gastrointestinal system. We diagnosed 28 cases of T. whipplei endocarditis in Marseille, France, and compared them with cases reported in the literature. Specimens were analyzed mostly by molecular and histologic techniques. Duke criteria were ineffective for diagnosis before heart valve analysis. The disease occurred in men 40–80 years of age, of whom 21 (75%) had arthralgia (75%); 9 (32%) had valvular disease and 11 (39%) had fever. Clinical manifestations were predominantly cardiologic. Treatment with doxycycline and hydroxychloroquine for at least 12 months was successful. The cases we diagnosed differed from those reported from Germany, in which arthralgias were less common and previous valve lesions more common. A strong geographic specificity for this disease is found mainly in eastern-central France, Switzerland, and Germany. T. whipplei endocarditis is an emerging clinical entity observed in middle-aged and older men with arthralgia.
-
systemic Tropheryma whipplei clinical presentation of 142 patients with infections diagnosed or confirmed in a reference center
Medicine, 2010Co-Authors: Jean Christophe Lagier, Hubert Lepidi, Didier Raoult, Florence FenollarAbstract:AbstractCulture of Tropheryma whipplei, the agent of Whipple disease (WD), was achieved in our laboratory in 2000, allowing new perspectives for the diagnosis of this disease and for the description of other potential clinical manifestations caused by this microorganism. Since 2000, we have develope
-
Tropheryma whipplei in the skin of patients with classic Whipple's disease.
The Journal of infection, 2010Co-Authors: Emmanouil Angelakis, Hubert Lepidi, Florence Fenollar, Marie-laure Birg, Didier RaoultAbstract:Positive Tropheryma whipplei PCR results in skin biopsies were frequent in patients with classic Whipple's disease without skin manifestations. The bacterium was alive, as a strain was successfully cultured. The skin may be a reservoir for T. whipplei and may be helpful in the non-invasive diagnosis of the disease.
Benoit Desnues - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Tropheryma whipplei Increases Expression of Human Leukocyte Antigen-G on Monocytes to Reduce Tumor Necrosis Factor and Promote Bacterial Replication
Gastroenterology, 2018Co-Authors: Eya Ben Azzouz, Jean-louis Mege, Didier Raoult, Asma Boumaza, Soraya Mezouar, Matthieu Bardou, Federico Carlini, Christophe Picard, Benoit DesnuesAbstract:Infection with Tropheryma whipplei has a range of effects-some patients can be chronic carriers without developing any symptoms whereas others can develop systemic Whipple disease, characterized by a lack a protective inflammatory immune response. Alterations in major histocompatibility complex, class I, G (HLA-G) function have been associated with several diseases. We investigated the role of HLA-G during T whipplei infection.
-
an experimental mouse model to establish Tropheryma whipplei as a diarrheal agent
The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2011Co-Authors: Khatoun Al Moussawi, Didier Raoult, Jean-louis Mege, Nada Malou, Benoit DesnuesAbstract:Tropheryma whipplei has long been considered as a rare bacterium causing a rare disease, Whipple’s disease. However, recent advances now suggest that T. whipplei is a ubiquitous environmental bacterium that may cause gastroenteritis, commonly associated with viral pathogens. We developed an animal model to support this hypothesis. We found that orally given T. whipplei induced diarrhea in mice, without spreading into the intestines. Aggravating factors, such as damage to the intestinal mucosa, favored bacterial spreading. Indeed, bacterial presence was prolonged in stools of dextran sulfate-treated mice, and bacteria were detected in the colon. This resulted in an immune response, with T. whipplei–specific serum IgM and IgG and fecal IgA, as measured by newly introduced immuno–polymerase chain reaction technique. Our results confirm that T. whipplei is an agent causing gastroenteritis and suggest that existing mucosal damage may favor bacterial invasion of tissues.
-
New insights into Whipple's disease and Tropheryma whipplei infections.
Microbes and Infection, 2010Co-Authors: Benoit Desnues, Khatoun Al Moussawi, Florence FenollarAbstract:Whipple's disease is a rare multi-systemic disease associated with the ubiquitous environmental bacterium Tropheryma whipplei. Over the last 10 years, since the isolation of the bacterium, recent advances in medical microbiology, epidemiology and cellular biology have provided major insights into the understanding of the pathophysiology of T. whipplei infections that may result in Whipple's disease.
-
Type I interferon induction is detrimental during infection with the Whipple's disease bacterium, Tropheryma whipplei
PLoS Pathogens, 2010Co-Authors: Khatoun Al Moussawi, Eric Ghigo, Jean-louis Mege, Ulrich Kalinke, Lena Alexopoulou, Benoit DesnuesAbstract:Macrophages are the first line of defense against pathogens. Upon infection macrophages usually produce high levels of proinflammatory mediators. However, macrophages can undergo an alternate polarization leading to a permissive state. In assessing global macrophage responses to the bacterial agent of Whipple's disease, Tropheryma whipplei, we found that T. whipplei induced M2 macrophage polarization which was compatible with bacterial replication. Surprisingly, this M2 polarization of infected macrophages was associated with apoptosis induction and a functional type I interferon (IFN) response, through IRF3 activation and STAT1 phosphorylation. Using macrophages from mice deficient for the type I IFN receptor, we found that this type I IFN response was required for T. whipplei-induced macrophage apoptosis in a JNK-dependent manner and was associated with the intracellular replication of T. whipplei independently of JNK. This study underscores the role of macrophage polarization in host responses and highlights the detrimental role of type I IFN during T. whipplei infection.
-
Tropheryma whipplei Glycosylation in the Pathophysiologic Profile of Whipple’s Disease
The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2009Co-Authors: Cyrille J. Bonhomme, Patrick Fourquet, Eric Ghigo, Patricia Renesto, Hubert Lepidi, Benoit Desnues, Florence Fenollar, Bernard Henrissat, Jean-louis MegeAbstract:Background. Tropheryma whipplei is a bacterium commonly found in people with Whipple’s disease, a rare systemic chronic infection. In the present study, we hypothesized that bacterium glycosylation may impair the immune response. Methods. Bacterial extracts were analyzed by glycostaining, and reactive proteins, identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectometry, were purified to generate antibodies that could be used in immunofluorescence studies. The reactivity of serum samples obtained from patients and asymptomaticcarrierswastestedagainstnativeordeglycosylatedbacteria,forwhichthefateinmacrophageswasalso investigated. Results. To our knowledge, we evidenced, for the first time in T. whipplei, a 110-kDa glycoprotein containing sialicacid.Thisprotein,identifiedasanWnt1-induciblesignalingpathway(WiSP)protein,isassociatedwithperiodic acid‐Schiff (PAS) staining in infected intramacrophage biofilm. Consistent with the lack of enzymes required for the glycosylation pathway in this bacterium, the glycoproteins disappear during in vitro axenic subcultures, whereas humantranscriptomeanalysisrevealstheup-regulationofcorrespondinggeneswithininfectedmacrophages.Proteic antigensarenotrecognizedbytheserumsamplesobtainedfrompatientscomparedwiththoseobtainedfromnonsick carriers,andT.whippleithatexhibitsalowglycosylationprofiledoesnotefficientlymultiplyinmacrophagesinvitro. Conclusions. T. whipplei glycosylation is likely to impair antibody-mediated immune recognition in patients. Such an intracellular antigen masking system in bacteria has not previously been described. Tropheryma whipplei is a gram-positive bacterium responsible for Whipple’s disease (WD) [1], a rare and chronic infection resulting in several heterogeneous clinical characteristics with or without gastrointestinal symptoms [2]. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis and sequencing of the 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA)
