Hematobium is a word that refers to a parasitic flatworm that causes disease in humans. Its spelling is based on the Greek roots haima, meaning blood, and oura, meaning tail. The word is pronounced [hɛməˈtoʊbiəm] in IPA phonetic transcription, with the stress on the second syllable. The "h" at the beginning of the word is silent, and the "o" in the second syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound. The "e" in the third syllable is also pronounced with a schwa sound.
Hematobium refers to Schistosoma hematobium, a species of parasitic blood fluke that causes the disease known as schistosomiasis or urinary schistosomiasis. It is one of the five species of Schistosoma that can infect humans, with its primary location being in Africa.
Schistosomiasis is a tropical disease that affects over 200 million people worldwide, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The infection occurs when the larvae of Schistosoma hematobium, released by freshwater snails, penetrate human skin during contact with contaminated water. These larvae then migrate to the veins surrounding the bladder or genital area.
Once inside the body, adult Schistosoma hematobium worms reproduce, and their eggs are released into the bloodstream. However, unlike other species of Schistosoma, the eggs of Schistosoma hematobium have a particular affinity for the urinary tract. Consequently, these eggs may become lodged in the walls of the bladder or urinary system, leading to inflammation, tissue damage, and the associated symptoms of urinary schistosomiasis such as bloody urine, painful urination, and bladder dysfunction.
If left untreated, chronic infection with Schistosoma hematobium can lead to severe complications, including bladder cancer and impaired kidney function. Treatment typically involves medication to kill the parasites and manage symptoms.
Prevention of hematobium infection includes avoiding contact with contaminated water sources, maintaining proper sanitation and hygiene practices, and providing access to safe water supply and adequate sanitation facilities. Hematobium is a significant public health concern in many regions and is one of the neglected tropical diseases targeted for control and elimination by global health organizations.
The word "Hematobium" is derived from two parts: "Hemato" and "bium".
"Hemato" comes from the Greek word "haima" (αἷμα), which means "blood".
The suffix "bium" is derived from "bios" (βίος), meaning "life" in Greek.
Therefore, "Hematobium" is a combination of "hemato" (blood) and "bium" (life), indicating a life form related to or found in blood. In this case, it refers to the parasitic flatworm known as Schistosoma haematobium, which is found in the blood vessels of humans and causes schistosomiasis, a tropical disease.