Trichuris spp. (2)

Question 1

What are the hosts?

Answer 1

Dogs

CATS

Swine

Cattle

Ovine, etc.

Question 2

Describe an adult

Answer 2

Resembles a whip - thick posterior end tapering rapidly to a long
filamentous anterior end

Characteristically embedded in mucosa

Size varies with host

Question 3

Describe an egg

Answer 3

Lemon shape

Yellow or brown in fecal flotations

Conspicuous plug at both ends

Size varies with host

Question 4

Explain the life cycle

Answer 4

Eggs are excreted

Eggs protected by thick shell

Eggs develop to have an L1 stage within egg

Egg with L1 ingested

Question 5

What is the site of infection?

Answer 5

Cecum and/or colon

Question 6

Describe the Pathogenesis

Answer 6

Most infections are light/asymptomatic

Heavy infections
- Diphtheritic (“leather-like” character) inflammation of the cecal
mucosa
- Heads of whipworms embed beneath endothelium resulting in
tough, bumpy texture
- Sporadic diseases - watery, bloody diarrhea

Severe infections

 - Weight loss
 - Dehydration
 - Death

Eggs may survive for several years, and therefore reservoir of infection

Question 7

How do you diagnose?

Answer 7

Eggs in feces

Importance of PPP

Question 8

What is the common name?

Answer 8

Whipworms