Citation Information :
Dogra S, Chowdry S, Mahajan B. An accidental endoscopic finding – Trichuris trichiura. A case report and review of the literature. J Gastrointest Infect 2015; 5 (1):54-56.
Trichuris trichiura, commonly referred to as a whipworm, has a worldwide distribution, particularly among countries with warm and humid climates. This parasite is carried by nearly one quarter of the world population especially less-developed countries. Poor hygiene is associated with trichuriasis transmission, and children are especially vulnerable because of their high exposure to risk factors. This is especially true in developing countries, where poor sanitary conditions correlate with heavy disease burden and infections. Only patients with heavy parasite burden become symptomatic. The diagnosis is typically confirmed by detection of T. trichiura eggs on examination of a stool sample. This case report deals with a patient with trichuriasis who were diagnosed by detection of the parasite on colonoscopy. Thus colonoscopy might be a useful diagnostic tool, especially in symptomatic patients who are infected by only a few male worms with no eggs in the stool and thus are not diagnosed by conventional methods.
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