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Species information |
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Description |
Trichuris muris Trichuris muris - the mouse whipworm is a useful parasite model of the human parasite - Trichuris trichuria. Whipworms derive their name from their characteristic morphology. Adults occupy the large intestine with their anterior ends embedded in the cells lining the intestine. Transmission occurs by ingestion of contaminated material. |
Lifecycle |
Infection occurs by the ingestion of embryonnated eggs. L1 larvae hatch in the caecum and penetrate the mucosal epithelium. 9-11 days after infection the larvae moult to the L2 stage. 17 days post infection, the larvae moult again to the L3 stage. 5 days later L3 moult to L4 and at day 29 post infection, the L4 larvae moult for the last time to produce the mature adult. At this stage the posterior end of the worm protrudes into the gut lumen. The adults mate and females produce eggs which get expelled with the hosts faeces. |
Contacts | |
University of Edinburgh | Mark Blaxter |
Pathogen Sequencing Unit Sanger Institute | Neil Hall |
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