Haemonchus

An economically important genus of nematode parasites (family Trichostrongylidae) occurring in the abomasum of ruminant animals and causing severe anemia, especially in younger or previously unexposed animals. Some significant species are Haemonchus placei (in cattle, sheep, and goats), Haemonchus similis (in cattle and sheep), and Haemonchus contortus, the stomach, barberpole, or twisted wire worm of cattle, sheep, goats, and other ruminants, of which a few cases have been reported from humans; accidental parasite of humans. [G. haima, blood, + onchos, spear]

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Hae·mon·chus hē-'mäŋ-kəs n a widely distributed genus of nematode worms (family Trichostrongylidae) including the barber's pole worm (H. contortus) see HAEMONCHOSIS

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Hae·mon·chus (he-monґkəs) a genus of parasitic nematodes of the family Trichostrongylidae. H. contorґtus is the wireworm or barber's pole worm, a stomach worm that parasitizes the abomasum of ruminants, causing haemonchosis.