Parasitology Training Manual

Trichuris trichiura

• Abbreviation: Tt
• Common name: Whipworm
• Egg size: 50 - 54 microns
• Adult size: 30 - 50 mm long
• Eggs have typical polar plugs on both ends(mucous).
• In the stained smear these plugs usually disappear.
• T. vulpis or the dog whipworm is much larger.

click on the images below to enlarge.

T. trichiura Life Cycle

Adults in the cecum, appendix or large intestine release undeveloped eggs which are
passed in feces. In the right ideal conditions these eggs embryonate in soil(1 month).
The embyonated egg is then eaten by man. In the small intestine the larva hatch in
about 3 - 10 days. The larva migrate to the colon and attach to the superficial epithelium.
The worm matures and remains in this location. Ingested egg to adult in about 30 days.

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