Tropical sprue in Northern India

Abstract

An account of the clinical and pathological features of 70 cases of tropical sprue occurring in the Delhi area is presented. The syndrome is characterised by chronic diarrhoea, steatorrhoea, barium meal abnormalities and histological alterations in the mucosa of the small intestine. Although the syndrome is generally similar to the coeliac disease and idiopathic steatorrhoea of the West, it differs from it in some respects. It has a short and self-limiting course; the steatorrhoea is generally mild as also are the histological changes. It improves on a good hospital diet and is not specifically influenced by a gluten-free diet. The aetiology and pathogenesis are obscure. The roles of infection and malnutrition are discussed.