Trichuris trichuria

Question 1

Indirect or direct

Hosts

Answer 1

Direct life cycle

Human is final host

Soil is additional reservoir

Question 2

Classification

Answer 2

Metazoa - nematode

Question 3

Transmission and life cycle

Answer 3

Unembryonated eggs are passed by stool of infected host. These eggs end up in the soil where they embryonate and become infective eggs.

Humans can become infected by ingesting these eggs by soil contact.

The eggs then hatch in the intestines and release larvae. These larvae develop into adult worms in the colon.

Female and male worms replicate and the female worm releases eggs which are again passed by stool.

Question 4

Diagnosis

Answer 4

Microscopy:
Identification of eggs in stool.

Examination of rectal mucosa by protoscopy (or directly in case of prolapse) can occasionally demonstrate adult worms)