Trichuris trichiura

It is also known as the Human Whipworm. has a narrow anterior esophageal end and shorter and thicker posterior anus. 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. Their characteristic eggs are barrel-shaped and brown, and have bipolar protuberances.

Characteristics
Shape and Size
54 ¼m x 22 ¼m. Range, 49-65 ¼m x 20-29 ¼m. Elongated, Barrel shaped with a polar plug at each ends
Genome Information
Trichuris trichiura, DNA linear, Size 5.5 Mb, GC% 42.2, Protein 9,650, Gene 9,650 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genome/13417
Food Source
consumption of raw or poorly cooked food
Pathological Factor
After ingestion the eggs hatch in the small intestine into the larval form, which penetrate the small intestinal mucosa.After approximately one week, the immature worms move passively to the large intestine and proximal colon and penetrate the mucosal epithelial cells. The worm continues to expand intracellularly creating tunnels in the epithelium. The posterior end of the worm eventually ruptures the cell membrane and the worm protrudes partially into the lumen of the large intestine, while the anterior part still imbedded in the epithelium.
Disease
Trichuriasis
Symptoms
bloody diarrhea, painful or frequent defecation, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, sudden and unexpected weight loss, fecal incontinence, or the inability to control defecation
Affected Body Organs
large intestine, anus

Classification
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Nematoda
Class Enoplea
Order Trichocephalida
Family Trichuridae
Genus Trichuris
Species T. trichiura