Trichuris Trichiura (whipworm) (2 of 5)

Colonoscopic finding of showing a long slender whitish T. trichiura worm in the cecum. The worm derives its name (whipworm) from its characteristic whiplike shape; the adult (male - 30-45 mm, female - 35-50 mm) with males being somewhat smaller than females. Buries its thin, threadlike anterior half into the intestinal mucosa, After 10-14 days in soil, eggs become infective. Soil-containing eggs must be swallowed. no tissue migratory phase occurs. Larvae hatch in the small intestine, where they grow and molt, finally taking up residence in the large intestine. The time from ingestion of eggs to development of mature worms is approximately 3 months. Adult females lay eggs for up to 5 years.