- Also known as the "whipworm"
- Derives its name from its characteristic whiplike shape
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:
- Diarrhoea
- Anemia
- Dehydration