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Glite Dictionary
Onchocerca

Onchocerca

1 9.9
A group of worms that live in people and sometimes cause river blindness
  • proper noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Onchocerca
  • Infected blackflies transmit the parasite Onchocerca to their hosts during feeding.

Examples

  • Researchers are examining Onchocerca species to develop new treatments for related diseases.

  • Onchocerca lupi infection is reported primarily in symptomatic dogs.

    Academic text (2013)

  • The parasite Onchocerca volvulus is responsible for causing river blindness in humans.

Surface Forms

Onchocerca main

Etymology

Onchocerca comes from Greek parts oncho- meaning 'hook' and -cerca meaning 'tail', so it literally means 'hook-tail'. That's why the name fits this group of parasitic worms: the hooked tail helped scientists name them, and these worms are known for causing diseases like river blindness.