Trichuridae

B. H. Ransom, 1911 (Railliet, 1915)

Trichuridae(whipworms) are a family ofnematodes, aphasmid parasites (Adenophorea) that infest various organs of vertebrates. They lack phasmids, which are glandular sensory organs. Humans can become hosts to several species of Trichuridae, and some species cause diseases(trichuris) that can be fatal.

Taxonomy: The family Trichuridae includes several genera, with most species represented in the two main genera whipworms (Trichuris) and hairworms (Capillaria). Genera and species important in human medicine are:

Trichuris (whipworms).

• Trichuris suis (main host pig)
• Trichuris trichiura (main host human)
• Trichuris vulpis (main host dog)

Capillaria (hair worms)

• Capillaria aerophila (lung hairworm of the cat)
• Capillaria anatis
• Capillaria hepatica
• Capillaria philippinensis (causative agent of capillariasis)

Trichuris trichuria, Trichuris suis, Trichuris vulpis are pathogens of trichuriasis, a worldwide wumr disease with about 500 million infections. Although occurring worldwide, subtropical (Turkey) and tropical regions of the world are the main areas of infection.

Trichuridae primarily infest the intestinal tract, but some species also infest the liver or urinary bladder of vertebrates. Life cycles may be restricted to one host species or involve host switching, with annelids often acting as intermediate hosts.

Infection of humans occurs by oral ingestion of eggs of, for example, Trichuris trichiura (lettuce, crops, etc.). The larvae hatch from the eggs and penetrate the epithelium of the large intestine. Here they develop into adult worms, which attach themselves to the intestinal mucosa (ileum, appendix, colon, rectum) with the bloodsucking front part. The females excrete up to 10,000 eggs per day.

1. Cross JH (1992) Intestinal capillariasis. Clin Microbiol Rev 5:120-129.
2. El-Dib NA et al. (2015) Molecular detection of Capillaria philippinensis: An emerging zoonosis in Egypt. Exp Parasitol 154:127-133.
3. Knaus M et al (2015) Efficacy of Broadline against Capillaria aerophila lungworm infection in cats. Parasitol Res 114:1971-1975.