Schistosoma
[shis″-, skis″to-so´mah]a genus of trematodes, including several species parasitic in the blood of humans and domestic animals. The organisms are called schistosomes or blood flukes. Larvae (cercariae) enter the body of the host by way of the digestive tract, or through the skin from contact with contaminated water, and migrate in the blood to small blood vessels of organs of the intestinal or urinary tract; they attach themselves to the blood vessel walls and mature and reproduce. The intermediate hosts are snails of various species.
The life cycle of Schistosoma. From Mahon and Manuselis, 2000.
Schistosoma haemato´bium a species endemic in North, Central, and West Africa and the Middle East; the organisms are found in the venules of the urinary bladder wall, and eggs may be isolated from the urine.
Schistosoma japo´nicum a species geographically confined to China, Japan, and nearby countries; found chiefly in the venules of the intestine.
Schistosoma manso´ni a species widely distributed in Africa and parts of South America; the organisms are found in the host's mesenteric veins, and eggs may be found in the feces.
Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.
Schis·to·so·ma hae·ma·to·bi·um
the vesical blood fluke, a species with terminally spined eggs that occurs as a parasite in the portal system and mesenteric veins of the bladder (causing human schistosomiasis haematobium) and rectum; common in the Nile delta but is found along waterways, irrigation ditches, or streams throughout Africa and in parts of the Middle East; the intermediate host is Bulinus truncatus in Egypt; elsewhere, other snails of the subfamily Bulininae (Bulinus, Physopsis, Pyrgophysa) are involved.
Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
Schis·to·so·ma hae·ma·to·bi·um
(skis'tō-sō'mă hē-mā-tō'bē-ŭm)The vesical blood fluke, a species that occurs as a parasite in the portal system and mesenteric veins of the bladder (causing human schistosomiasis haematobium) and rectum; found throughout Africa and the Middle East; intermediate hosts are Bulinus truncatus and other snails.
Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012