skip to main content

Whipple Disease Endocarditis Screen — SCE Infectious Diseases MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardBone & Joint InfectionWhipple Disease Endocarditis ScreenSCE Infectious Diseases

A patient has weight loss, migratory arthralgia, malabsorption and PAS-positive small-bowel macrophages containing Tropheryma whipplei. A new regurgitant murmur is present but routine blood cultures remain negative. Which complication should be actively investigated?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C — Tropheryma whipplei culture-negative endocarditis

The best answer is “Tropheryma whipplei culture-negative endocarditis”. T. whipplei is a recognised cause of blood-culture-negative endocarditis and can accompany classic gastrointestinal Whipple disease; echocardiography and organism-directed molecular testing are therefore appropriate. The ESC guideline covers blood-culture-negative endocarditis, antimicrobial strategy, oral step-down selection and surgical indications.

Reference: 2023 ESC Guidelines for infective endocarditis: https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Endocarditis-Guidelines