ANCYLOSTOMIASIS Meaning and
Definition
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Ancylostomiasis is a parasitic infection caused by certain species of hookworms belonging to the genus Ancylostoma. It is a prevalent tropical disease that primarily affects humans and animals, particularly dogs and cats. The infection occurs when the larvae of these parasitic worms penetrate the skin, usually through direct contact with contaminated soil or sand or by walking barefoot in infested areas.
Once inside the body, the hookworm larvae migrate through the bloodstream to the lungs, where they are coughed up and then swallowed. From there, they reach the small intestine, where they mature into adult worms that attach themselves to the intestinal lining and feed on the host's blood. The resulting symptoms of ancylostomiasis include abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and anemia, as the parasites cause blood loss and nutrient depletion.
Ancylostomiasis is typically diagnosed through stool examination, where the eggs of the hookworms can be detected. Treatment involves the use of antiparasitic medications to kill and eliminate the adult worms. Additionally, preventive measures such as wearing shoes, maintaining proper sanitation and hygiene, and treating pets for hookworm infection are crucial in controlling the spread of ancylostomiasis.
If left untreated, ancylostomiasis can lead to serious complications, particularly in children and individuals with weakened immune systems. These complications may include malnutrition, growth retardation, and cognitive developmental delays. Therefore, early diagnosis, prompt treatment, and preventive measures are essential to the management and prevention of ancylostomiasis.
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Uncinariasis, hookworm disease, dochmiasis, Egyptian chlorosis, tunnel anemia, miner's anemia.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ANCYLOSTOMIASIS
- ankylostomiasis
- zncylostomiasis
- sncylostomiasis
- wncylostomiasis
- qncylostomiasis
- abcylostomiasis
- amcylostomiasis
- ajcylostomiasis
- ahcylostomiasis
- anxylostomiasis
- anvylostomiasis
- anfylostomiasis
- andylostomiasis
- anctlostomiasis
- ancglostomiasis
- anchlostomiasis
- anculostomiasis
- anc7lostomiasis
- anc6lostomiasis
- ancykostomiasis
Etymology of ANCYLOSTOMIASIS
The word "Ancylostomiasis" has its etymology rooted in Greek. It is composed of two Greek terms: "ancylostoma" and "-iasis".
1. "Ancylostoma" (ἀγκύλοςτόμος) combines the Greek words "ankylos" (ἀγκύλος) meaning "crooked" or "curved", and "stoma" (στόμα) meaning "mouth". It refers to a genus of parasitic worms that have hook-like mouthparts, hence the name "Ancylostoma".
2. "-iasis" (-ίασις) is a suffix derived from the Greek word "-iasis" (-ίασις), which denotes "a condition", "a state", or "a disease".
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