COMPENDIUM ON FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE - Flipbook - Page 266
Clinical Significance: Can cause abdominal discomfort,
malnutrition, and potential complications from migrating larvae or
intestinal obstruction.
Unique Features: Adult worms can reach 15-35 cm in length;
females produce up to 200,000 eggs daily.
Trichuris trichiura (Whipworm)
Prevalence: Affects approximately 604-795 million people
worldwide [13].
Transmission Mechanisms:
● Primary route: Ingestion of embryonated eggs from:
○ Soil contaminated with human feces
○ Raw vegetables grown in contaminated soil
○ Unwashed hands after contact with contaminated soil
● Requires 2-4 weeks of embryonation in soil before becoming
infectious
Clinical Significance: Light infections often asymptomatic; heavy
infections may cause Trichuris dysentery syndrome with chronic
diarrhea and rectal prolapse.
Unique Features: Has a distinctive whip-like shape with a thin
anterior end embedded in the intestinal mucosa.
Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus (Hookworms)
Prevalence: Affect approximately 576-740 million people globally
[14].
Transmission Mechanisms:
● Primary route: Skin penetration by filariform larvae from:
○ Walking barefoot on contaminated soil
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