Case #393 May 2015
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A 59-year-old female immigrant presented at a local hospital with microcytic/hypochromic anemia and eosinophilia. She underwent an exploratory colonoscopy during which the following object shown in Figure A was observed and recovered. The object measured 40 mm in length. Results for routine ova-and-parasite (O&P) exams were not available. What is your diagnosis? Based on what criteria?A 59-year-old female immigrant presented at a local hospital with microcytic/hypochromic anemia and eosinophilia. She underwent an exploratory colonoscopy during which the following object shown in Figure A was observed and recovered. The object measured 40 mm in length. Results for routine ova-and-parasite (O&P) exams were not available. What is your diagnosis? Based on what criteria?
Figure A
Case Answer
This was a case of trichuriasis caused by Trichuris trichiura. The common name of T. trichiura is the human whipworm which is derived from the long, slender shape of the anterior portion of the adult worm, which resembles the lash of a whip. This is the part of the worm that threads into the mucosa of the human host. The posterior portion of the worm is thicker and is similar to the handle of a whip. Females have a blunt posterior end while that of males (as shown here) is coiled.
More on: trichuriasis
This case and image was kindly provided by The Cadham Provincial Public Health Laboratory, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
Images presented in the monthly case studies are from specimens submitted for diagnosis or archiving. On rare occasions, clinical histories given may be partly fictitious.
DPDx is an education resource designed for health professionals and laboratory scientists. For an overview including prevention and control visit www.cdc.gov/parasites/.
- Page last reviewed: August 24, 2016
- Page last updated: August 24, 2016
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- Global Health – Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria
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