Dioctophyme renale
Dioctophyme renale
Dioctophyme renale (pronounced: dee-ock-toe-fime re-nale), commonly known as the giant kidney worm, is a parasitic roundworm causing a condition known as dioctophymosis in mammals.
Etymology
The term "Dioctophyme" is derived from the Greek words "di" meaning two, "octo" meaning eight, and "phyme" meaning growth, referring to the eight distinct stages of growth in the worm's life cycle. "Renale" is derived from the Latin word "renalis" meaning kidney, as the worm primarily affects the kidneys of the host organism.
Description
Dioctophyme renale is the largest nematode (roundworm) that infects mammals. The adult worms are reddish-brown, cylindrical, and can reach up to 100 cm in length. The worms typically inhabit the right kidney of the host, often leading to the destruction of the kidney tissue.
Life Cycle
The life cycle of Dioctophyme renale involves several hosts. The definitive host, where the worm reaches maturity, is typically a carnivore such as a dog or a fox. The intermediate host, where the worm's eggs develop into larvae, is usually an aquatic invertebrate such as a worm or a mollusk. The worm's eggs are passed in the urine of the definitive host and ingested by the intermediate host. The larvae then develop in the intermediate host until they are ingested by the definitive host, completing the life cycle.
Symptoms and Treatment
Infection with Dioctophyme renale can lead to a range of symptoms in the host, including abdominal pain, weight loss, and blood in the urine. The most effective treatment is surgical removal of the worm.
Related Terms
- Nematode: A type of roundworm, of which Dioctophyme renale is a member.
- Parasite: An organism that lives in or on another organism (its host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the host's expense.
- Dioctophymosis: The condition caused by infection with Dioctophyme renale.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Dioctophyme renale
- Wikipedia's article - Dioctophyme renale
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