Tropical sprue was one of the illnesses contracted during the war. While tropical sprue is associated with tropical regions, non-tropical sprue (now known as celiac disease) is recognized elsewhere. In the 1970s the distinction between celiac disease and tropical sprue became clearer, with celiac disease being linked to gluten and tropical sprue being linked to infections and environmental factors.
Tropical sprue is a malabsorption disease marked by inflammation of the lining of the small intestine and characterized by chronic diarrhoea, nausea, malabsorption of nutrients, weight loss and fatigue. This inflammation makes it difficult to absorb nutrients from food, in particular folic acid and vitamin B12. To avoid the complications and morbidity associated with this condition, it must be promptly diagnosed and treated.
Sprue generally occurs in the tropical areas of the Caribbean, India, South Africa and Southeast Asia. It is similar to, but different from, giardiasis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome. It is treated with tetracycline antibiotics to kill the bacteria and with treatment for the malabsorption, by replacing the vitamins, nutrients, and electrolytes that the body is lacking, ie iron, folic acid and vitamin B12. Recovery can be quick and dramatic after the first large dose of folic acid, and folic acid may be enough to improve symptoms on its own. Most people show good outcomes after three to six months of treatment. Non-tropical sprue responds to a gluten-free diet.
Sources: