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[[Image:Trichuris vulpis.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Trichuris vulpis'' - Courtesy of the Laboratory of Parasitology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine]]
[[Image:Trichuris vulpis.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Trichuris vulpis'' - Courtesy of the Laboratory of Parasitology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine]]
==Overview ==
==Overview ==
The ''Trichuris'' worms are so called due to their characteristic whipe like structure. They have a broad posterior end tapering to a long and narrow neck which is inserted into the caecal mucosa. They have a direct life cycle, moving directly into the definitive host from the infective L1 egg stage. Once ingested the larva is freed from the egg casing and forms a mucosal nodule in which to develop before emreging into the lumen of the gastointestinal system.
The ''Trichuris'' worms, part of the Trichuroidea superfamily, are so called due to their characteristic whip like structure. They have a broad posterior end tapering to a long and narrow neck which is inserted into the caecal mucosa. They have a direct life cycle, moving directly into the definitive host from the infective L1 egg stage. Once ingested the larva is freed from the egg casing due to digestion of the plugs at either end of the egg. The larvae then form mucosal nodules in which to develop before emerging into the lumen of the large intestine and caecum of the host.
==Characteristics==
==Characteristics==
'''Eggs'''<br/>
'''Eggs'''<br/>
The eggs of '' Trichuris species are brown in colour and are bioperculated (have a plug in each end). They are hardy eggs and in the correct coonditions can survive on pasture for up to 12 years. The ''Trichuris'' embryo develops inside the egg and is infective as the 1st larval stage living within the egg.<br/>
The eggs of '' Trichuris species are yellow/brown in colour and are bioperculated (have a plug in each end). They are hardy eggs and in the correct coonditions can survive on pasture for up to 12 years. The ''Trichuris'' embryo develops inside the egg and is infective as the 1st larval stage living within the egg.<br/>
'''Larvae'''<br/>
'''Larvae'''<br/>
Hatch from the egg into the small intestine and there grow and moult until the reach adulthood.<br/>
Hatch from the egg into the small intestine and there grow and moult until the reach adulthood.<br/>