[Malabsorption syndrome. Rare differential diagnosis in a young patient].

In a young female patient originally coming from Albany, immunoproliferative small intestinal disease (IPSID) could be diagnosed as a cause for severe maladsorption. Considering clinical and histological criteria an early disease stage of IPSID could be diagnosed. Under the continuous treatment of doxycycline for more than 3 1/2 years, all disease manifestations like watery diarrhea, vomiting, pain in the upper abdomen and loss of weight disappeared. After discontinuation of the antibiotic therapy the patient reached a sustained response.