Trichuris trichiura

Trichuris trichiura, Trichocephalus trichiuris or whipworm, is a parasitic roundworm (a type of helminth) that causes trichuriasis (a type of helminthiasis which is one of the neglected tropical diseases) when it infects a human large intestine. It is commonly known as the whipworm which refers to the shape of the worm; it looks like a whip with wider 'handles' at the posterior end. The female T. trichiura produces 2,000–10,000 single-celled eggs per day. Eggs are deposited from human feces to soil where, after two to three weeks, they become embryonated and enter the 'infective' stage. These embryonated infective eggs are ingested and hatch in the human small intestine exploiting the intestinal microflora as hatching stimulus. This is the location of growth and molting. The infective larvae penetrate the villi and continue to develop in the small intestine. The young worms move to the caecum and penetrate the mucosa, and there they complete development to adult worms in the large intestine. The life cycle from the time of ingestion of eggs to the development of mature worms takes approximately three months. During this time, there may be limited signs of infection in stool samples due to lack of egg production and shedding. The female T. trichiura begin to lay eggs after three months of maturity. Worms commonly live about 1 year, during which time females can lay up to 20,000 eggs per day. Trichuris trichiura is a protozoa that infects the intestines. It can cause various symptoms and can lead to death. Trichuris trichiura is classified as a Protozoa, and also a parasite. Trichuris trichiura lives in the soil in egg stage. Once it is ingested it develops into larvae stage. Finally maturing into the adult stage in the intestines. The parasite will mainly live in the soil until it is ingested. Recent studies using genome-wide scanning revealed two quantitative trait loci on chromosome 9 and chromosome 18 may be responsible for genetic predisposition or susceptibility to infection of T. trichiura by some individuals. Trichuris trichiura has a narrow anterior esophageal end and shorter and thicker posterior end. These pinkish-white worms are threaded through the mucosa. They attach to the host through their slender anterior end and feed on tissue secretions instead of blood. Females are larger than males; approximately 35–50 mm long compared to 30–45 mm. The females have a bluntly round posterior end compared to their male counterparts with a coiled posterior end. Their characteristic eggs are barrel-shaped and brown, and have bipolar protuberances. Trichuriasis, also known as whipworm infection, occurs through ingestion of whipworm eggs and is more common in warmer areas. Whipworm eggs are passed in the feces of infected persons, and if an infected person defecates outside or if untreated human feces is used as fertilizer, eggs are deposited on soil where they can mature into an infective stage. Ingestion of these eggs 'can happen when hands or fingers that have contaminated dirt on them are put in the mouth or by consuming vegetables or fruits that have not been carefully cooked, washed or peeled.' The eggs hatch in the small intestine, and then move into the wall of the small intestine and develop. On reaching adulthood, the thinner end (the anterior of the worm) burrows into the large intestine, and the thicker (posterior) end hangs into the lumen and mates with nearby worms. The females can grow to 50 mm (2.0 in) long. Neither the male nor the female has much of a visible tail past the anus. There are several symptoms that Trichuris trichiura can cause. It can cause serious public health issues like Trichuris dysentery syndrome (TDS), chronic dysentery, anemia, rectal prolapse, poor growth, and clubbed fingers. These are serious health problems that should be addressed as soon as possible. It can be treated through repeated doctor visits and the use of oral iron. Overall, this disease is very serious and should not be ignored. Whipworm commonly infects patients also infected with Giardia, Entamoeba histolytica, Ascaris lumbricoides, and hookworms.