Artificial Intelligence In Microbiology by Dr. Prince C P
Trichuris trichiura
1. Trichuris trichiura
Also called “human whipworm” , a Soil-Transmitted
Helminth and next most common intestinal worm especially in
urban disadvantage communities
Trichuris trichiura is estimated to affect some 500 million people.
Children aged 5 to 14 years are particullary vulnerable. Most cases
occurs inMOIST REGIONS of Asia, Africa, Central and South
America
2. FLESH COLORED OR PINKISH SLENDERWORMS WHICH ARE MUCH
SMALLERTHAN ASCARIS
The esophagus is
characteristically
embedded in glandular
cells called STICHOCYTES
The tail end of the female
worm is straight and blunt
while that of the male is
characteristically curved
Female: 3.5 to 5.5 cm
Male: 3.0 to 3.5 cm
The anterior three fifths of
the worm consists of a fine,
hair-like structure which
forms the esophagus
While the posterior two-
fifths is thick and fleshy
that contains the intestine
and reproductive organs
3. EGGS
The female fertilized worm
produces:
BARREL-SHAPED EGS
WITHTHICK, SMOOTH,
BROWN EGG SHELLS AND
TWOTRANSPARENT
PLUGS PROTRUDING
FROM BOTH POLES OF
THE EGGS
EACH FEMALEWHIPWORM CAN
PRODUCE 7000TO 10000 EGGS PER
DAY
ATOTAL OF OF OVER 60 MILLION
EGGS BY A SINGLEWHIPWORMTO
HARBOROVER 1000WORMS
4. Larvae undergo
intracellular
development in
upper small
intestines
Adult worms
attached to the
cecum
Eggs passed
out with feces
In ssoil: eggs
embryonate (2-3
weeks)
Embryonated
eggs (infective
stage) ingested
by man
Larvae hatch in
intestine
5. Light infections are assymptomatic and without
clinical significance
The symptoms are due to worms unique mode
of attachment to the wall of the large intestine
where it feeds on intestinal tissues
Chronic impairment should be suspected with
diarrhea, hypoalbuminemia and IDA
Anemia in trichiuris is due to ulceration of the
intestine resulting from a heavy worm burden
Heavy infection may lead to prolapsed of the
anus and rectum