ECHINOCHASMUS Meaning and
Definition
-
Echinochasmus is a genus of parasitic trematodes that belongs to the family Echinostomatidae. It is composed of various species of flatworms that commonly infect the digestive system of various mammals, including humans. These trematodes are characterized by their small size, typically measuring only a few millimeters in length.
The life cycle of Echinochasmus begins when the adult worms lay their eggs in the host's small intestine. These eggs are then excreted through the feces, contaminating water sources such as freshwater lakes and rivers. The eggs hatch into larvae known as miracidia, which are then ingested by snails. Inside the snails, the miracidia undergo a series of developmental stages, eventually transforming into cercariae.
These cercariae are released from the snails and can directly infect the definitive hosts, typically aquatic animals such as fish or amphibians. Once inside the definitive hosts, the cercariae penetrate the intestinal lining and migrate to the liver, where they develop into adult worms. The adult worms then attach themselves to the intestinal wall, feeding on the host's blood and nutrients.
In humans, infection by Echinochasmus can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and malnutrition. Diagnosis is typically confirmed through the detection of eggs in stool samples or through endoscopic examination. Treatment involves the administration of specific anthelmintic medications, which are effective in eliminating the parasites from the body.
Overall, Echinochasmus is a genus of trematodes that can cause intestinal infections in various mammalian hosts, including humans. Its life cycle involves multiple developmental stages, and infection can result in gastrointestinal symptoms.
Common Misspellings for ECHINOCHASMUS
- wchinochasmus
- schinochasmus
- dchinochasmus
- rchinochasmus
- 4chinochasmus
- 3chinochasmus
- exhinochasmus
- evhinochasmus
- efhinochasmus
- edhinochasmus
- ecginochasmus
- ecbinochasmus
- ecninochasmus
- ecjinochasmus
- ecuinochasmus
- ecyinochasmus
- echunochasmus
- echjnochasmus
- echknochasmus
- echonochasmus
Etymology of ECHINOCHASMUS
The word "Echinochasmus" is derived from two Greek roots: "echinos" meaning "hedgehog" and "chasma" meaning "gaping" or "yawning". When the roots are combined, "Echinochasmus" literally translates to "hedgehog-like gaping" or "hedgehog-like yawn". It is a term used in the field of parasitology and refers to a genus of trematode parasites that infect the digestive tract of various animals. The name is thought to have been inspired by the appearance of the parasite's oral sucker, which resembles the mouth of a hedgehog.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
