A malabsorption problem that results due to a shorter and lesser number of intestinal villi is called:

A malabsorption problem that results due to a shorter and lesser number of intestinal villi is called:

• A. tropical sprue
• B. lactose intolerance
• C. pancreatic insufficiency
• D. non-tropical sprue

Answer: (D)

The main concept is that malabsorption can arise from loss of absorptive surface due to damage to the intestinal lining. When the villi are shortened and fewer in number, the surface area available for nutrient absorption drops a lot, leading to malabsorption. This pattern is classic for non-tropical sprue (historical term for celiac disease), where gluten-triggered immune damage causes villous atrophy in the small intestine. The result is a reduced absorptive surface, especially affecting fats and fat-soluble vitamins, as well as iron and folate. Lactose intolerance, by contrast, is caused by a deficiency of the brush-border enzyme lactase, so the problem is enzyme activity rather than a loss of mucosal surface. Pancreatic insufficiency leads to malabsorption due to lack of pancreatic enzymes rather than villous damage, so the mucosal architecture remains largely intact. Tropical sprue can produce villous atrophy as well, but it occurs in tropical regions and is a different clinical setting. So the described histological change—shortened, fewer villi causing diminished absorption—is most characteristic of non-tropical sprue.

The main concept is that malabsorption can arise from loss of absorptive surface due to damage to the intestinal lining. When the villi are shortened and fewer in number, the surface area available for nutrient absorption drops a lot, leading to malabsorption.

This pattern is classic for non-tropical sprue (historical term for celiac disease), where gluten-triggered immune damage causes villous atrophy in the small intestine. The result is a reduced absorptive surface, especially affecting fats and fat-soluble vitamins, as well as iron and folate.

Lactose intolerance, by contrast, is caused by a deficiency of the brush-border enzyme lactase, so the problem is enzyme activity rather than a loss of mucosal surface. Pancreatic insufficiency leads to malabsorption due to lack of pancreatic enzymes rather than villous damage, so the mucosal architecture remains largely intact. Tropical sprue can produce villous atrophy as well, but it occurs in tropical regions and is a different clinical setting.

So the described histological change—shortened, fewer villi causing diminished absorption—is most characteristic of non-tropical sprue.