Trichuris vulpis (1)

Question 1

What are the hosts?

Answer 1

Dogs

Question 2

Describe an adult

Answer 2

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

Characteristically embedded in mucosa

Question 3

Describe an egg

Answer 3

Lemon shaped

80 x 35 micro m

Yellow or brown in fecal flotation

Conspicuous plugs on both ends

Question 4

Explain the life cycle

Answer 4

1. Eggs excreted in feces
2. Larva embryonates and develops within the thick shelled egg to L1
3. L1 infective
4. Eggs survive several years
5. Plugs are digested and L1 released
6. L1 penetrates the glands of the cecal mucosa or small intestine
7. Migrates to cecum

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 cecal
mucosa
- Sporadic diseases - watery, bloody diarrhea

Severe infections

 - Weight loss
 - Dehydration
 - Death

Question 7

What is the common name?

Answer 7

Whipworm