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helminth

helminth

1 9.8
A worm that lives inside the body of animals or people and causes illness
  • noun
  • /ˈhɛlmɪnθ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : helminto
  • Some forms of helminths, such as tapeworms, can cause serious digestive issues in humans.
  • helminth infections
  • helminth ova
  • soil-transmitted helminths

Examples

  • In contrast to the pronounced signs and symptoms of atopic conditions (such as asthma) or anaphylaxis, most helminth infections have subclinical or asymptomatic presentations.

    Academic text (2016)
  • More than one dozen different species of soil-transmitted helminths infect humans, especially in the tropical and subtropical parts of the developing world.

    Academic text (2007)
  • The significance of helminth infestation has increased manyfold in developing countries.

    Academic text (2014)
  • For basic diagnosis, specific helminths and eggs can generally be identified from the faeces.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Co-infection with helminths and bacteria or viruses is common in the developing world.

    Academic text (2016)
  • We conclude that treatment of helminth infections in school-age children may improve growth in areas where malnutrition and helminth infections are prevalent.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Soil-transmitted helminths live in the intestine, where they produce thousands of eggs each day that are passed in the feces.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Of the 510 children examined, 86 (16.9%, 95% CI, 9.38-24.34%) had helminth infections.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Whipworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and giant roundworms are all examples of helminths that may infect the returning traveler.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Many children in tropical regions are affected by helminths that infect their intestines.

Synonyms

parasite
vshelminth
  • Specialized
111 4.2

A living thing that lives on or inside another living thing and takes food from it

is narrower, referring specifically to intestinal parasites in vertebrates
tapeworm
vshelminth
15 5.2

A long flat creature that lives inside the intestines of people or animals

is a specific intestinal parasite with a flat ribbonlike body
flatworm
vshelminth
  • Specialized
4 7.0

A soft worm with a flat body that lives inside other animals or on the sea floor

covers both parasitic intestinal types and harmless free-living types
nematode
vshelminth
  • Specialized
4 8.6

A small worm with a long smooth body that lives in soil or water

is broader, including both free-living species and intestinal parasites
roundworm
vshelminth
3 5.5

A long round animal pointed at both ends that sometimes lives as a parasite

includes free-living species as well as those infecting vertebrate intestines
pinworm
vshelminth
  • US
2 7.0

A very small thin animal that lives in the intestines of children

is a typical child-infecting intestinal parasite among the wider group
parasitic worm
vshelminth
  • Specialized
1 4.4

A small animal that lives inside another animal and takes its food, often causing sickness

is mainly found in vertebrate intestines
platyhelminth
vshelminth
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A flat worm that lives inside animals or in water

includes free-living forms as well as intestinal parasitic species
threadworm
vshelminth
  • UK
1 8.1

A small worm that lives in the intestines of people, especially children

is an example species within the broader category of intestinal parasites
entozoon
vshelminth
  • Specialized
9.9

A small animal that lives inside another animal's body, usually as a worm in the intestines

is more specific to parasites of vertebrate intestines
endozoan
vshelminth
  • Specialized
9.9

A parasite that lives inside an animal's body, often in the intestines

highlights parasites in vertebrate intestines rather than external ones
entozoan
vshelminth
  • Specialized
9.9

A parasite that lives inside an animal's body, often in the intestines

is focused on those found in vertebrate intestines specifically
entoparasite
vshelminth
  • Specialized
9.9

A parasite that lives inside an animal's body, often in the intestines

is mainly used for parasites that live in vertebrate intestines
Acanthocephala
vshelminth
  • Specialized
9.9

Wormlike parasites with spines that live in animal intestines

is a specific taxonomic group within intestinal parasitic animals
spiny-headed worm
vshelminth
  • Specialized
9.9

A parasite that lives in animal intestines and can pull its spiny head back to hold on

is one form among intestinal parasites, defined by its spiny head
Diphyllobothrium
vshelminth
  • Specialized
9.9

A long flat worm that lives in the gut and infects people who eat raw or undercooked fish

is an example of intestinal parasitic species within the broader group
Echinococcus
vshelminth
  • Specialized
9.9

Small tapeworms that live in animal intestines and cause disease

is a narrow genus within the larger class of intestinal parasites
nematode worm
vshelminth
  • Specialized
7.1

A very small thin animal with a pointed body that lives in soil or inside other living things

overlaps by including both harmless and intestinal parasitic members
common roundworm
vshelminth
  • Specialized
4.5

A worm that lives in human and pig intestines and makes them sick

is one example of intestinal parasites within the broader group
Ascaridae
vshelminth
  • Specialized
9.9

Large round worms that live in the intestines of animals and sometimes people

is a taxonomic subgroup within the wider class of intestinal parasites
Trichuris
vshelminth
  • Specialized
9.9

A small worm called a whipworm that lives in the intestines of mammals and can make them sick

is a specific genus example within intestinal parasitic animals
trichostrongyle
vshelminth
  • Specialized
9.9

A small round worm that lives in the intestines of farm animals

is one subgroup of intestinal parasites mainly affecting animals not humans
Enterobius
vshelminth
  • Specialized
9.9

A small thin worm that lives in the human intestine and causes itching around the anus

is one genus example within intestinal parasitic animals
Enterobius vermicularis
vshelminth
  • Specialized
7.2

A small thin worm that lives in people's gut, often in children, and causes itching

is a narrow species example among intestinal parasites
Ancylostoma
vshelminth
  • Specialized
9.9

A small worm that lives in the intestines of animals, including people

is a representative genus within the larger intestinal parasite group

Surface Forms

helminth singular
helminths plural

Etymology

Helminth comes from an old Greek word helminthos meaning 'worm'. That's why helminth refers to worms that live inside the body, especially in the intestines.