SPARGANUM Meaning and
Definition
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Sparganum refers to a tapeworm larva known as a plerocercoid that infects various animals, including humans. It is commonly found in freshwater environments, such as rivers, lakes, and ponds, and can cause a parasitic disease known as sparganosis when ingested by its definitive host.
The sparganum is a long, flat, ribbon-like organism, measuring several millimeters to centimeters in length. It possesses a characteristic band-like appearance with segments or proglottids along its body. These segments contain reproductive structures for the production of eggs that will be shed into the environment.
The life cycle of sparganum involves an intermediate host in which the larval stage develops, often freshwater crustaceans or amphibians. Humans can become infected by consuming raw or undercooked intermediate hosts containing the sparganum larvae. Once ingested, the parasite will migrate through the intestinal wall and spread to various parts of the body, including the muscles, subcutaneous tissue, and even the eyes and brain in severe cases.
Symptoms of sparganosis can vary depending on the location of the infection, ranging from mild discomfort to tissue inflammation, pain, and swelling. In humans, surgical removal of the sparganum larvae is often the primary treatment option, although antiparasitic medication may also be used to alleviate symptoms.
Prevention of sparganosis involves proper cooking and adequate hygiene practices when handling and consuming uncooked or undercooked aquatic animals.
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A group of larvae of worms of the family Dibothriocephalidce.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for SPARGANUM
- spargenium
- aparganum
- zparganum
- xparganum
- dparganum
- eparganum
- wparganum
- soarganum
- slarganum
- s-arganum
- s0arganum
- spzrganum
- spsrganum
- spwrganum
- spqrganum
- spaeganum
- spadganum
- spafganum
- spatganum
- spa5ganum
Etymology of SPARGANUM
The word "Sparganum" has its origins in Greek. It comes from the Greek word "σπαργανόω" (sparganoō), which means "to wrap" or "to bind tightly". It is derived from the verb "σπαργάνη" (sparganē), meaning "a bandage" or "a strip of cloth used for binding".
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