A tropical disease of unknown cause, characterized by malabsorption of fats, protein, vitamins, iron, and calcium. Its clinical features
include sore tongue, weight loss, fatty stools, and diarrhea. Treatment basically involves the initiation of a
balanced diet high in
protein (but with only
normal amounts of fat) and the administration of
folic acid and the
antibiotic tetracycline for a
period of up to six months.
Nontropical sprue is a term used to describe the
adult form of
celiac disease.