SCHISTOSOMUM HEMATOBIUM Meaning and
Definition
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Schistosoma hematobium is a parasitic flatworm belonging to the phylum Platyhelminthes. It is commonly referred to as the blood fluke or bladder fluke. Schistosoma hematobium is the causative agent of schistosomiasis, a tropical disease affecting millions of people worldwide.
The adult Schistosoma hematobium worm is dioecious, meaning it has separate male and female organisms. The female worm, which is larger, resides in the venous plexus of the human urinary system, particularly the veins surrounding the bladder and genital organs. The male worm lives in a groove on the ventral surface of the female. This unique anatomical feature is characteristic of the Schistosoma genus.
Transmission of Schistosoma hematobium occurs through contact with contaminated fresh water. The parasite releases larval forms called cercariae, which penetrate human skin when individuals come into contact with infested water bodies. Once inside the body, the larvae migrate through the bloodstream to reach the venous plexuses. The adults mate and produce eggs, which are released into the urinary system and excreted in urine, completing the life cycle.
The eggs of Schistosoma hematobium can cause significant damage to the urinary system, leading to various complications such as bladder inflammation, calcification, and the formation of bladder stones. Chronic infection can result in long-term health problems, including blood in the urine, bladder cancer, and kidney damage.
Schistosoma hematobium is primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa but has also been reported in parts of the Middle East and southern Europe. Effective prevention and control strategies include avoiding contact with contaminated water, improved sanitation, and mass drug administration with antiparasitic medications.
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Distoma hematobium, occurs as a parasite in the portal system and the veins of the bladder and rectum; it is common in Egypt.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for SCHISTOSOMUM HEMATOBIUM
- achistosomum hematobium
- zchistosomum hematobium
- xchistosomum hematobium
- dchistosomum hematobium
- echistosomum hematobium
- wchistosomum hematobium
- sxhistosomum hematobium
- svhistosomum hematobium
- sfhistosomum hematobium
- sdhistosomum hematobium
- scgistosomum hematobium
- scbistosomum hematobium
- scnistosomum hematobium
- scjistosomum hematobium
- scuistosomum hematobium
- scyistosomum hematobium
- schustosomum hematobium
- schjstosomum hematobium
- schkstosomum hematobium
- schostosomum hematobium
Etymology of SCHISTOSOMUM HEMATOBIUM
The word "Schistosomum hematobium" is a scientific binomial name used to classify a parasitic flatworm (trematode) known as the Schistosoma haematobium. Let's break down this term:
1. Schistosomum: The word "Schistosomum" comes from the Greek word "schistos", meaning "divided" or "split", and "soma", meaning "body". This term describes the characteristic shape of the worm, which appears divided into two parts.
2. Hematobium: The term "hematobium" is derived from the Greek words "haima" (haema) meaning "blood" and "βίος" (bios) meaning "life". It refers to the fact that Schistosoma haematobium primarily resides and infects the blood vessels around the urinary tract.
