The word "Echinostoma ilocanum" is a scientific name for a type of flatworm. Its spelling might be a bit tricky for those unfamiliar with scientific terminology. The word "Echinostoma" is pronounced /ɛkɪˈnɒstəmə/ and comes from Greek "echinos" meaning "spiny" and "stoma" meaning "mouth". "Ilocanum" refers to the Ilocano people of the Philippines where this species was first identified. Its pronunciation is /ɪlɒˈkɑːnəm/. So, the correct spelling of the word is "E-c-h-i-n-o-s-t-o-m-a space i-l-o-c-a-n-u-m".
Echinostoma ilocanum is a parasitic flatworm belonging to the family Echinostomatidae. It is commonly known as the Ilocano giant intestinal fluke. This species specifically targets the small intestine of humans and other mammals for its parasitic existence.
The adult form of Echinostoma ilocanum has a robust, elongated body with a distinct oral sucker and ventral sucker, which enables it to attach firmly to the intestinal wall. It possesses a pair of excretory pores and numerous, well-developed reproductive organs. The fluke ranges in size from 7 to 13 millimeters in length, with males being slightly larger than females.
The life cycle of Echinostoma ilocanum involves two intermediate hosts: freshwater snails and various aquatic vertebrates, such as fish, amphibians, and reptiles. The eggs produced by adult flukes are released into water through the feces of infected hosts. Once in water, these eggs hatch into miracidia, which enter and develop within the snail host. Inside the snail, several generations of larvae develop before being released as free-swimming cercariae.
Humans and other animals become infected with Echinostoma ilocanum by ingesting raw or undercooked seafood containing infective cercariae. The cercariae penetrate the intestinal wall and migrate to the small intestine, where they mature into adult flukes and start reproducing. Infections caused by Echinostoma ilocanum can lead to various symptoms, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and weight loss.
Preventive measures to avoid Echinostoma ilocanum infection involve proper cooking of seafood to kill any potentially infective larvae. Treatment typically involves medication to
The word "Echinostoma ilocanum" is a scientific binomial name given to a species of parasitic fluke. Let's break it down:
1. Echinostoma: The word "Echinostoma" is derived from the Greek words "ekhinos", meaning "hedgehog", and "stoma", meaning "mouth". This name refers to the characteristic appearance of the parasite, which has a hinged oral sucker resembling a hedgehog's mouth.
2. ilocanum: The term "ilocanum" is a specific epithet added to the genus name "Echinostoma". It indicates the origin or discovery location of the species and refers to the Ilocos region in the Philippines. This suggests that the species was first discovered or found in this particular region.