2. Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Nematoda
Class: Adenophorea
Order: Trichurida
Family: Trichuridae
Genus: Trichuris
Species: T. trichiura
3. a very common intestinal helminthic infection, and about one
quarter of the world's population is thought to carry the parasite.
tropical Asia & to a lesser degree, in Africa and South America.
Only patients with heavy parasite burden become symptomatic.
4. Poor hygiene is associated with trichuriasis transmission, and children are
especially vulnerable because of their high exposure risk.
Prevalence of helminth infection was higher in the schools where hygiene
conditions (i.e., tap water, hand washing soap) are lacking.
Its recommended that the school health programs include deworming,
health education, and improvement of hygiene conditions.
6. • Adults reside in the large intestine, cecum, and appendix of
the host.
• buries its thin, threadlike anterior half into the intestinal
mucosa and feeds on tissue secretions, not blood.
• . The cecum and colon are the most commonly infected
sites,
• in heavily infected individuals, infection can be present in
more distal segments of the GI tract, such as the
descending colon and rectum.
7.
8. Transmission: fecal-oral via embryonated ova.
Reservoir: mainly human, others possible but host
specificity not well documented.
Epidemiology.
Whipworm infection is more common in less-developed
countries. This parasite is carried by nearly one quarter of the
world population.
.
9. pathology
The major pathology resembles that of inflammatory
bowel disease due to mechanical disruption and toxicity
of whipworms.
The pathological changes include:
hyperemia
edema
hemorrhage/bleeding
In few cases, there are cellular proliferation and
thickness of the intestinal wall causing inflammatory
and granulomas
10. Clinical manifestations
Light infestations (<100 worms) are frequently asymptomatic.
Heavy infestations may have bloody diarrhea.
Long-standing blood loss may lead to iron-deficiency anemia.
Rectal prolapse is possible in severe cases.
Vitamin A deficiency may also result due to infection.
Mechanical damage to the mucosa may occur as well as toxic or
inflammatory damage to the intestines of the host.
Finger clubbing
11. Diagnosis
T. trichiura eggs are detected in stool examination. Eggs
will appear barrel-shaped and unembryonated, having
bipolar plugs and a smooth shell.
12. o eosinophilia
o Rarely, anemia.
o Characteristic eggs on stool smear (oval with transparent
bipolar plugs) are visible.
o Each female produces up to 20,000 eggs per day. (No stool
concentration technique is necessary.)
Rectal prolapse can be diagnosed easily using .
13. Endoscopy often shows adult worms attached to
the bowel mucosa. (coconut cake rectum).
14. TREATMENT
Causes worm death by selectively and irreversibly blocking glucose
uptake and other nutrients in the susceptible adult intestine where
helminths dwell.
Administer a second course if patient is not cured within 3-4 wk.
Decreases whipworm ATP production, causing energy depletion,
immobilization, and death.
15. Prevention & Control
Avoid ingesting soil that may be contaminated with human feces,
including where human fecal matter ("night soil") or wastewater is
used to fertilize crops.
Wash your hands with soap and warm water before handling food.
Teach children the importance of washing hands to prevent infection.
Wash, peel, or cook all raw vegetables and fruits before eating,
particularly those that have been grown in soil that has been fertilized
with manure.
