Moniliformis

A genus of the class (or phylum) Acanthocephala, the thorny-headed worms. M. dubius, the common spiny-headed worm of house rats, is transmitted by infected cockroaches, Periplaneta americana; a few infections in humans have been reported. M. m. is a species normally found in rodents and is a rare parasite of humans. [L. monile, necklace, + forma, appearance]

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Mo·nil·i·for·mis mə-.nil-ə-'fȯr-məs n a genus of acanthocephalan worms usu. parasitic in rodents but occas. found in dogs, cats, or rarely humans

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Mo·nil·i·for·mis (mo-nil″ĭ-forґmis) a genus of acanthocephalans. M. moniliforґmis (formerly Echinorhynchus moniliformis) is a parasite of rats, mice, and dogs, and a facultative parasite in humans.