The common name for Trichuris trichuria is
whipworm. It refers to its likeness to a miniature buggg whip. The disease
caused by the worm is called Trichiuriasis. Has no intermediate host. It occurs
in the large intestine and caecum. It is almost without symptoms and rarely
cause severe symptoms. It is found in most worm countries where there faecal
contaminated of the environment. Mode of infection is by injecting infective
eggs in contaminated food or contaminated fingers. Children are more infected
and the parasite remains infective for several months in moist warm soil but
can’t withstand drying.
whipworm. It refers to its likeness to a miniature buggg whip. The disease
caused by the worm is called Trichiuriasis. Has no intermediate host. It occurs
in the large intestine and caecum. It is almost without symptoms and rarely
cause severe symptoms. It is found in most worm countries where there faecal
contaminated of the environment. Mode of infection is by injecting infective
eggs in contaminated food or contaminated fingers. Children are more infected
and the parasite remains infective for several months in moist warm soil but
can’t withstand drying.
Morphology
The sexually matured worm
is about 5 cm long. The saclike posterior part of the body is occupied by
sexually organs. The egg (50cm in size)
have a very typical appearance due to two plug-like poles of the egg and their
clear to dark brown colour. It is parasitic to man and other vertebrates. Eggs
develop to infective form in moist place, when passed but with stool. Larva
develops in the intestine
is about 5 cm long. The saclike posterior part of the body is occupied by
sexually organs. The egg (50cm in size)
have a very typical appearance due to two plug-like poles of the egg and their
clear to dark brown colour. It is parasitic to man and other vertebrates. Eggs
develop to infective form in moist place, when passed but with stool. Larva
develops in the intestine
Geographical distribution: it occurs world wide.
Life Cycle
The female produces 3000 –
5000 celled eggs daily. These eggs are deposited in the soil when passed in
faeces. In the soil, they become embryonated after 2 – 3 wks and become
infective. When injected, they hatch in the small intestine of man where it
develops and turn to larvae. The infective larvae penetrate the outer wall, and
go through several molting. The mature adults move to the large intestine and
gain a hold with their long, thin heads, while the tails dangles freely in the
capcum. Following sexual maturation and fertilization the female eventually lay
eggs daily into the bowel. The entire cycle requires 90 days and untreated
infestation can last up to 2 years.
5000 celled eggs daily. These eggs are deposited in the soil when passed in
faeces. In the soil, they become embryonated after 2 – 3 wks and become
infective. When injected, they hatch in the small intestine of man where it
develops and turn to larvae. The infective larvae penetrate the outer wall, and
go through several molting. The mature adults move to the large intestine and
gain a hold with their long, thin heads, while the tails dangles freely in the
capcum. Following sexual maturation and fertilization the female eventually lay
eggs daily into the bowel. The entire cycle requires 90 days and untreated
infestation can last up to 2 years.
Prevention and control
1. Use of anti-helminths
2. Provision of adequate
latrine accommodation
latrine accommodation
3. Washing of hands after
contact with faeces
contact with faeces
4. Health education
