Malabsorption and Jejunitis in American Peace Corps Volunteers in Pakistan

Abstract

Tropical sprue, a syndrome of unknown cause characterized by diarrhea, weight loss, malabsorption, and changes in small intestinal morphology, occurs in both native residents and visitors to tropical countries. The syndrome has been frequently described in European and American military personnel stationed in Asia (1, 2) or Puerto Rico (3, 4). During the past year, two cases of severe symptomatic sprue have been observed in Peace Corps Volunteers in East Pakistan, and several cases have been seen among Volunteers in Venezuela (5). Recent studies from Thailand, India, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, and Haiti have shown a high prevalence of malabsorption and