Gastrodiscoides hominis

Gastrodiscoides hominis

Gastrodiscoides hominis is a species of trematode in the family Gastrodiscidae. It is a parasitic flatworm that infects the intestines of mammals, including humans, primarily in parts of Asia such as India, Southeast Asia, and the Far East. This parasite is of medical significance as it can cause a condition known as gastrodiscoidiasis, which is characterized by abdominal pain, diarrhea, and in severe cases, anemia.

The life cycle of Gastrodiscoides hominis involves two hosts: a primary mammalian host, where the adult worms reside in the large intestine, and a secondary aquatic snail host, which is required for the development of larval stages. Humans become infected by ingesting water or food contaminated with the larval stages (metacercariae) of the parasite.

The adult worms of Gastrodiscoides hominis are distinctive in appearance, with a leaf-like shape and a reddish-brown color due to the blood they ingest from the host. They attach to the mucosa of the large intestine, where they feed on blood and tissue fluids, leading to the symptoms associated with the infection.

Diagnosis of gastrodiscoidiasis typically involves the microscopic examination of stool samples to identify the eggs of Gastrodiscoides hominis. Treatment usually includes the administration of antiparasitic medications, such as praziquantel, which are effective in eliminating the worms from the host's body.

Preventive measures against gastrodiscoidiasis include the consumption of safe drinking water, proper sanitation, and the avoidance of eating raw or undercooked aquatic plants, which may harbor the infective larval stages of the parasite.

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