FILARIA MEDINENSIS Meaning and
Definition
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Filaria medinensis is a parasitic worm that belongs to the class of nematodes, commonly known as filarial worms. It is also referred to as the Guinea worm or the Medina worm. Filaria medinensis is responsible for causing a disease known as dracunculiasis, which primarily affects humans.
The life cycle of Filaria medinensis begins when the larvae are ingested by freshwater copepods, a type of small crustacean. Within these copepods, the larvae molt and develop into infectious forms called cercariae. The human infection occurs when a person ingests water contaminated with copepods harboring these infectious larvae.
Once ingested, the larvae penetrate the intestinal wall and migrate through the body, eventually maturing into adult worms. The female worms, which can reach lengths of up to one meter, usually resides commonly in the subcutaneous tissues of the extremities, particularly in the legs and feet.
The most distinctive and recognizable symptom of dracunculiasis is the formation of painful skin blisters. Over several weeks, the blisters slowly break open and release a milky white fluid containing larvae. This causes intense pain, subsequent skin ulceration, and significant disability.
Prevention and control of Filaria medinensis primarily involve water treatment and sanitation measures to eliminate or reduce the presence of contaminated water sources. There is no specific treatment for the disease, and care primarily involves the careful extraction of the adult worm using a technique called winding.
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Drocunculus medinensis, D. persarum, Guinea worm, Medina worm; a worm inhabiting the cellular tissue; the female, in order to liberate her young, bores a hole through the skin, usually at the ankle, where an ulcer uterus and then the worm escapes from the body; it is common in the neighborhood of the Red Sea, and is believed to have been the "fiery serpent" that tormented the Israelites.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for FILARIA MEDINENSIS
- dilaria medinensis
- cilaria medinensis
- vilaria medinensis
- gilaria medinensis
- tilaria medinensis
- rilaria medinensis
- fularia medinensis
- fjlaria medinensis
- fklaria medinensis
- folaria medinensis
- f9laria medinensis
- f8laria medinensis
- fikaria medinensis
- fiparia medinensis
- fioaria medinensis
- filzria medinensis
- filsria medinensis
- filwria medinensis
- filqria medinensis
- filaeia medinensis
Etymology of FILARIA MEDINENSIS
The word "Filaria medinensis" has its etymology rooted in Latin and Greek. Here's a breakdown:
1. Filaria: The term "Filaria" originates from the Latin word "filum", which means "thread". In this context, it refers to the long, slender shape of the parasite.
2. Medinensis: The term "medinensis" is derived from the Latin word "Medina", which is the genitive form of "Medinum", meaning "the city of Medina".
Therefore, "Filaria medinensis" can be translated as the "thread-like parasite from the city of Medina". This name likely arises due to the historical association of this parasitic infection with the city of Medina in present-day Saudi Arabia.
