Trichuriasis-CDCreport

Identification

Whipworm disease

Case classification:
• Suspected case: A nematode infection of the large intestine, usually asymptomatic.
• Probable case: Heavy infections may cause bloody, mucoid stools and diarrhea. Rectal prolapse, clubbing of fingers, hypoproteinemia, anemia and growth retardation may occur in heavily infected children.
• Confirmed case: demonstration of eggs in feces or sigmoidoscopic observation of worms attached to the wall of the lower colon in heavy infections.

3.10.2 Infectious agent

Trichuris trichiura

3.10.3 Occurrence

Worldwide, especially in warm, moist regions.

3.10.4 Reservoir

Humans

3.10.5 Mode of transmission

Indirect, particularly through pica or ingestion of contaminated vegetables; no immediate person-to-person transmission. Eggs passed in feces require a minimum of 10-14 days in warm moist soil to become infective. Hatching of larvae follows ingestion of infective eggs from contaminated soil, attachment to the mucosa of the caecum and proximal colon, and development into mature worms. Eggs appear in the feces 70-90 days after ingestion of embryonated eggs; symptoms may appear much earlier.