Spiruria

Spiruria is a suborder of nematodes that includes several species of parasites. These parasites are typically found in the tissues of their hosts, which can include a variety of animals such as birds, reptiles, and mammals. The suborder is characterized by the presence of a spirally coiled uterus in the female worms.

Taxonomy

The suborder Spiruria is part of the order Spirurida, which also includes the suborders Ascaridida and Oxyurida. The Spiruria suborder is further divided into several superfamilies, including the Filarioidea, Habronematoidea, Physalopteroidea, Quimperiidae, and Thelazioidea.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of Spiruria nematodes typically involves an intermediate host, which is often an insect. The adult worms live in the tissues of the definitive host, where they produce eggs that are released into the environment. These eggs are then ingested by the intermediate host, where they hatch into larvae. The larvae mature in the intermediate host and are then ingested by the definitive host, completing the life cycle.

Clinical Significance

Spiruria nematodes can cause a variety of diseases in their hosts. For example, species in the superfamily Filarioidea are responsible for diseases such as lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis in humans. Other species can cause diseases in animals, such as heartworm in dogs.

Treatment and Control

Treatment of Spiruria infections typically involves the use of anthelmintic drugs, which are designed to kill or disable the worms. Control measures often involve preventing the intermediate hosts from coming into contact with the definitive hosts, such as by using insecticides or by keeping animals indoors.

See Also

• Nematoda
• Spirurida
• Filarioidea
• Habronematoidea
• Physalopteroidea
• Quimperiidae
• Thelazioidea

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