A parasitic infestation with the tropical worm TRICHURIS TRICHURIA (whipworm).
Children are most commonly affected.
Infestation occurs when eggs are ingested and develop into adult worms in the intestines.
Severe infestation may cause bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and weight loss.
Treatment is with anthelmintic drugs.
A worldwide infection, particularly common in the tropics. It is caused by Trichuris trichiura, or whipworm, so-called because of its shape – the rear end being stout and the front end hair-like, resembling the lash of a whip. The male measures 5 cm and the female 4 cm in length. Infection results from eating vegetables, or drinking water, polluted with the ova (eggs). These hatch out in the large INTESTINE and the diagnosis is made by ?nding the eggs in the stools (FAECES). The worms seldom cause any trouble unless they are present in large numbers when, especially in malnourished children, they may cause bleeding from the bowels, ANAEMIA and PROLAPSE of the RECTUM. The most e?ective drug is MEBENDAZOLE.
n. an infestation of the large intestine by the *whipworm, Trichuris trichiura; it occurs principally in humid tropical regions. The infection is acquired by eating food contaminated with the worms’ eggs. Symptoms, including bloody diarrhoea, anaemia, weakness, and abdominal pain, are evident only in heavy infestations. Trichuriasis can be treated with mebendazole.
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