Blood And Tissue Nematodes

Chapter seventeen is the chapter in which those nematodes that inhabit the blood and tissues of their human hosts are introduced. Seven filarial nematodes belonging to five genera are considered. Because the life cycles of all these organisms with the exception of one form, Dracunculus medinensis , are similar, a composite life cycle illustration of the group is presented in this chapter. Since D. medinensis parasitizes the connective tissue of its host while the other forms are found primarily in the circulatory systems of their hosts, its life cycle is presented separately. Also considered in this chapter is the periodicity of surges displayed by the microfilariae of the filarial worms and its influence on control of the diseases imposed by these organisms. The impact of microfilarial surges and the feeding habits of the mosquito vectors is also discussed. Within the consideration of each genus, the epidemiology, symptomatology and diagnosis, chemotherapy, host immune response, and prevention are considered.