Category:Trichinelloidea

This article is still under construction.

Trichuris ovis from sheep faeces - Joaquim Castellà Veterinary Parasitology Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Trichuris ovis in caecum - Supplied by Biomed Image Archive

Trichuris vulpis - Courtesy of the Laboratory of Parasitology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine

Capilaria - Courtesy of the Laboratory of Parasitology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine

Trichinella spiralis stained with H and E - Courtesy of the Laboratory of Parasitology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine

Trichinella spiralis - Courtesy of the Laboratory of Parasitology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine

The common feature of members of this group is that the oesophagus is a column of doughnut-shaped cells. They are only distantly related to the other nematode groups and so drugs developed primarily for controlling strongyle and ascarid worms are often less effective against these.

There are just three genera of veterinary importance:

1. Trichuris (the whipworms)
2. Capillaria
3. Trichinella

Capillaria

• Similar to Trichuris, but the difference between anterior and posterior ends of the body is not so pronounced
• Some species have direct life-cycles, others use intermediate or transport hosts
• Species have different predilection sites
• Of greatest importance in birds, although species do occur in the urinary bladder and liver of cats and dogs

Trichinella

• This is known as the "worm that thinks its a virus"
• It is an important zoonosis
• It is covered in greater detail

Trichuris

• Capillaria aerophila in respiratory disease of cats and dogs
• Trichinella in myositis