
“A Case Of Malabsorption Syndrome (MAS) Due To Tropical Sprue”
1445-1448
Correspondence
Dr.Viral Shah,(MD)33, New People Society, Subhashnagar, Ring road, Bhavnagar, Gujarat-364001. Ph-09898450363. E.mail:viralshah_rational@yahoo.co.in
Although tropical sprue is one of the common causes of MAS in Indian adults, it is mostly under diagnosed or misdiagnosed. Despite being easily treatable with tetracycline, inappropriate anti-tubercular treatment is most commonly given in tropical sprue. We report here, a case presented to our hospital, with recurrent diarrhoea, foul smelling stool and severe weight loss. Despite many antimicrobials, vitamins, oral and parenteral nutrition prescribed previously, the patient’s condition did not improve. We did some base line investigations and a small bowel biopsy. On account of the reports of all these tests, we presumed that his condition was tropical sprue and treated it with tetracycline for six months and followed him up regularly. He improved with therapy markedly.