onchocerciasis

[ ong-koh-ser-kahy-uh-sis ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Pathology.

an infestation with filarial worms of the genus Onchocerca, common in tropical America and Africa, transmitted by black flies, and characterized by nodules under the skin, an itchy rash, eye lesions, and in severe cases, elephantiasis.

onchocerciasis

/ ˌɒŋkəʊsəˈkaɪəsɪs /

noun

a disease found in parts of Africa and tropical America that is caused by a parasitic worm, Onchocerca volvulus, and transmitted to humans by various species of black fly. It results in inflammation of the skin and in some cases blindness Also calledriver blindness

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Word History and Origins

Origin of onchocerciasis¹

1910–15; < New Latin Onchocerc ( a ) a genus of filarioid worms ( oncho- (correctly onco- < Greek ónk ( os ) barb + -o- -o- ) + -cerca feminine of -cercus -tailed < Greek, adj. derivative of kérkos tail) + -iasis

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Word History and Origins

Origin of onchocerciasis¹

C20: from Onchocerca , the genus of worms + -iasis

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