A 7-year-old child from an endemic area presents with chronic bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, and rectal prolapse. Stool microscopy reveals barrel-shaped eggs with polar plugs. What is the causative organism?
- A Enterobius vermicularis
- B Trichuris trichiura ✓
- C Ascaris lumbricoides
- D Ancylostoma duodenale
Correct answer: B. Trichuris trichiura
Explanation
Trichuris trichiura, the whipworm, attaches to the colonic mucosa, causing inflammation, bloody diarrhea, and in heavy infections, rectal prolapse. The eggs are characteristically barrel-shaped with mucous polar plugs. Enterobius causes perianal itching. Ascaris causes pulmonary or biliary symptoms. Ancylostoma causes iron deficiency anemia.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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