Gras C, Chapoy P, Aubry P
Med Trop (Mars). 1981 Jul-Aug;41(4):449-54.
Tropical sprue is a disease of the small intestine characterized by a malabsorption syndrome with a subtotal or partial mucosal atrophy. It is observed in Asia and Central America. It appears to be rare in Africa but its real frequency is unknown as small bowel biopsys are not routinely done. Bacterial overgrowth as well as giardiasis may be trigger factors of the disease the pathogenesis of which is still incompletely understood. The disease beginning as chronic diarrhea is later on characterized by an aphtoïd stomatitis and a macrocytic anemia. Treatment with antibiotics and folic acid is efficient and has a diagnostic value. If treatment is started lately, vitamin B 12 is then also necessary. In any intestinal syndrome observed in tropical areas without an ascertained etiologic diagnosis, peroral biopsie of the small intestine is requested. However, with the use of pediatric endoscope it will be possible to appreciate the respective incidence of tropical sprue and asymptomatic tropical sprue in Africa South of the Sahara.
热带口炎性腹泻是一种小肠疾病，其特征为吸收不良综合征伴部分或完全性黏膜萎缩。在亚洲和中美洲可见此病。在非洲似乎较为罕见，但由于小肠活检并非常规操作，其实际发病率尚不清楚。细菌过度生长以及贾第虫病可能是该病的触发因素，其发病机制仍未完全明了。该病起初表现为慢性腹泻，随后会出现口疮样口炎和大细胞性贫血。使用抗生素和叶酸进行治疗有效且具有诊断价值。如果治疗开始得较晚，则还需要维生素B12。在热带地区观察到的任何肠道综合征，若病因诊断未明，均需进行小肠经口活检。然而，借助儿科内窥镜将有可能了解撒哈拉以南非洲地区热带口炎性腹泻和无症状热带口炎性腹泻的各自发病率。
