SCHISTOSOMUS Meaning and
Definition
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Schistosomus is a term used in zoology and parasitology to refer to a type of blood fluke belonging to the genus Schistosoma. Blood flukes are parasitic flatworms that reside in the blood vessels of various animal hosts, including humans. These organisms have a complex life cycle that involves alternating between a definitive host, where sexual reproduction occurs, and an intermediate host, where a larval stage develops.
Schistosoma species are known to cause a parasitic disease called schistosomiasis, also referred to as bilharzia. Schistosomiasis is a debilitating and potentially fatal condition that affects millions of people worldwide, primarily in tropical and subtropical regions. The disease is transmitted when individuals come into contact with infested freshwater sources containing the larvae of the parasites.
The adult schistosomus worms typically live in the blood vessels surrounding the intestines and urinary system of their definitive host. Once mature, the female will lay eggs that can penetrate the blood vessels and reach various organs, leading to chronic inflammation and damage. The most common symptoms of schistosomiasis include fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, blood in the urine, and an enlarged liver or spleen.
The prevention and control of schistosomiasis typically involve strategies such as health education, improved sanitation, snail control to disrupt the parasite's life cycle, and the administration of drugs to treat infected individuals.
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A monster with schistocoelia, or cleft body, schistocormus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for SCHISTOSOMUS
Etymology of SCHISTOSOMUS
The word "schistosomus" has its roots in ancient Greek. It is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "schistos" (σχιστός), meaning "divided" or "split", and "soma" (σῶμα), meaning "body".
This name was chosen to describe the unique appearance of the parasitic flatworms belonging to the genus Schistosoma. When viewed under a microscope, these worms appear to have divided bodies due to their elongated shape, which is the reason for the term "schistosomus".
