Trichuris
Revision as of 10:24, 14 August 2007 by Lizzies (talk | contribs) (New page: * Also known as the "'''whipworm'''" ** Derives its name from its characteristic whiplike shape * Adult buries its thin anterior half into the intestinal mucosa and feeds on tissue secret...)
- Also known as the "whipworm"
- Derives its name from its characteristic whiplike shape
- Adult buries its thin anterior half into the intestinal mucosa and feeds on tissue secretions (not blood).
- The cecum and colon are the most commonly infected sites.
- Causes eosinophilia.
Pathophysiology: After 10-14 days in soil, eggs become infective. Trichuriasis is transmitted by the fecal-oral route, as with A lumbricoides, but in contrast to this parasite and to hookworm, no tissue migratory phase occurs. Larvae hatch in the small intestine, where they grow and molt, finally taking up residence in the large intestine. The time from ingestion of eggs to development of mature worms is approximately 3 months. Adult females lay eggs for up to 5 years.