114 - Whipworms

Abstract

•First Described: Trichuris vulpis was first described in 1789 by von Frölich, who isolated it from a dog in Europe. Trichuris serrata and Trichuris campanula, described in 1879 and 1888, respectively, were first isolated from cats in Brazil by von Linstow.1,2 It has been proposed that these are the same species and should be renamed Trichuris felis.3•Cause: Trichuris vulpis, which occurs in dogs, and Trichuris felis (Trichuris serrata and Trichuris campanula), which occurs in cats, are commonly referred to as whipworms (Family Trichuridae).•Affected Hosts: Trichuris vulpis infects dogs and wild canids. Trichuris felis infects domesticated cats and wild felids.•Geographic Distribution: The distribution of T. vulpis is worldwide, although prevalence is reportedly lower in extremely cold and extremely hot arid climatic zones.1Trichuris felis is considered a more exotic infection except in tropical and sub-tropical zones with infection being common in South America and the Caribbean. Less frequent reports of infection have come from the USA, Australia, and Europe.•Route of Transmission: Dogs and cats become infected with whipworms by ingestion of eggs with infective first-stage larvae.•Major Clinical Signs: In general, T. vulpis infections are of low pathogenicity. However, infections can be associated with intermittent diarrhea and, with heavy infections, chronic and/or severe diarrhea, dehydration, lethargy, anorexia, and anemia. Little is known regarding feline disease. Theoretically, cats could have similar clinical signs as dogs, although there are no published case studies suggesting infection results in clinical signs.•Differential Diagnoses: The clinical signs are representative of many large bowel disorders (gastroenteritis, dietary indiscretion, gastrointestinal foreign body, inflammatory bowel disease, and other nematode infections). In some cases, infection can be associated with pseudo-hypoadrenocorticism.5 Presence of Trichuris eggs does not necessarily indicate that whipworms are the cause of the clinical signs, given the general low pathogenicity of infection.•Human Health Significance: Trichuris vulpis has been proposed as a zoonotic pathogen.6,7 While there have been a few reported human infections, genetic sequencing to confirm the Trichuris sp. has been limited. There are no reports of T. felis infecting humans.