The cause of this disease is unknown, but it may be related to an infectious organism. The condition affects residents of or visitors to the tropics. The main symptom is diarrhea, which may improve on leaving tropical areas, or may appear years after leaving the tropics. Risk factors are residence in the tropics or prolonged travel to tropical destinations.

• diarrhea, worse on high-fat diet
• indigestion
• excessive flatus/gas
• abdominal cramps
• weight loss
• pallor
• irritability
• numbness
• muscle cramps

Note: In children, sprue most often presents with growth failure and delayed skeletal maturation.

• small bowel biopsy showing findings of tropical sprue (including malabsorption or infection)
• upper endoscopy and upper GI series may show characteristic findings
• CBC showing anemia
• stool showing increased fecal fat
• CHEM 20 showing low amounts of serum calcium, albumin, serum phosphorus, and serum cholesterol

Folic acid corrects the diarrhea, anemia, and weight loss. Antibiotic therapy with tetracycline is given at the beginning of treatment.

Note: Oral tetracycline is usually not prescribed for children until after all permanent teeth have erupted. It can permanently discolor teeth that are still forming.

The outcome is expected to be good with treatment.

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are common complications.

Call your health care provider if you experience prolonged diarrhea or other symptoms of this disorder (especially after spending time in the tropics).

Call your health care provider if tropical sprue symptoms worsen or do not improve with treatment, or if new symptoms develop.

Other than avoiding living in or traveling to tropical climates, there is no known prevention for tropical sprue.