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Roundworms ... Of Kings and Worms or How Kings, Commoners, and Cats Are the Same Food

Roundworms, also known as nematodes, are a common term for parasites that comprise the phylum Nematoda that contain mainly free-living species and are located everywhere on earth. Roundworms are not ringworm, which is a fungal infection. Researchers estimate there may be as many as 500,000 species, but only about 60 species infect humans and animals as parasites. The most commonly identified parasites that use us and some animals as food for survival, multiplication, and spread (transmission to others) are termed ascariasis, trichuriasis, hookworm, enterobiasis, strongyloidiasis, filariasis, and trichinosis. Each nematode has a life cycle that can be complex. Many have only part of their cycle…

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 Intestinal Nematodes (Roundworm)

Nematodes (roundworms) are non-segmented worms (helminths) with elongate cylindrical bodies. Although numerous nematodes infect humans, six spend the majority of their lifecycle in the bowel lumen and are classified as intestinal nematodes: Ascaris lumbricoides; Trichuris trichiura (whipworm); Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus (the two human hookworms); Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm); and Strongyloides stercoralis. Ascaris, Trichuris, and hookworms are commonly grouped together as the soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) due to a shared aspect of their life cycles.

 Intestinal Worms in Humans...

Intestinal worms (also known as soil-transmitted helminths) affect more than 1.7 billion people worldwide including more than 1 billion children, according to the World Health Organization. The three most common intestinal worms are hookworm, ascaris (roundworm), and trichuris (whipworm).

 Roundworms

Roundworms or nematodes are the most abundant and ubiquitous multicellular organisms on earth. Between 100,000 and 1,000,000 are believed to exist. Only a small percentage of Australia's species are currently known, with 1000 having been named.

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Roundworm Diseases...

There is a large number of parasitic roundworm species, including pinworms, hookworms, and whipworms. In general, the lifecycle of parasitic roundworms is simpler than those of flukes and tapeworms - it usually involves a single host. Most roundworm infections can be treated with various medications that target the parasite.

Roundworms

Roundworms make up the phylum Nematoda. This is a very diverse animal phyla. It has more than 80,000 known species. Structure and Function of Roundworms Roundworms range in length from less than 1 millimeter to over 7 meters (23 feet) in length. As their name suggests, they have a round body. This is because they have a pseudocoelom. This is one way they differ from flatworms. Another way is their complete digestive system. It allows them to take in food, digest food, and eliminate wastes all at the same time.

Types of Worms – Roundworm

If a roundworm infection is suspected it is advisable to seek medical attention as soon as possible for your doctor to verify. Roundworm can be treated effectively with COMBANTRIN®, which effectively paralyses the worms inside the body and causes them to be passed out in faecal matter.

What roundworms can teach us about human growth

Human beings and the roundworm C. elegans have more in common than you’d expect. Thanks to a common ancestor more than 700 million years ago humans and roundworms have a similar hormone to drive and regulate growth. By activating or deactivating this hormone scientists can stimulate or stunt the growth of the worms.

Worms People Can Get

Some worms that people get can grow to be really big --more than 3 feet long. Others are tiny. The worst parasitic worms are usually found in warm tropical or subtropical parts of the world, but some worms are common in other places, too. Anyone can get worms.