Trichuris

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  • Also known as the "whipworm"
    • Derives its name from its characteristic whiplike shape

Trichuris Species

  • The whipworms have a stout posterior end and a long narrow neck, which is superficially inserted into the caecal mucosa
  • Eggs are brown, barrel-shaped, with a plug at either end, and can survive for up to 12 years
  • The infective stage is the embryonated egg.
  • The life-cycle is direct
  • After the egg is swallowed, the larva initially forms a mucosal nodule before emerging into the lumen

Species

  • Trichuris vulpis - dog whipworm
  • Trichuris campanula (Europe) and Trichuris serrata (North America) - cat whipworms.
    • Are quite rare.
  • Trichuris suis - pig whipworm

Life Cycle

  • Faeco-oral spread
  • Eggs become infective after 10-14 days in soil.
  • Larvae hatch in small intestine.
    • Grow and moult.
  • Finally take up resisidence in large intestine.
    • I.e. NO tissue migratory phase.

Clinical

  • Adult buries its thin anterior half into the intestinal mucosa and feeds on tissue secretions (not blood).
    • The caecum and colon are the most commonly infected sites.
    • Causes eosinophilia.
  • Signs may include: