Onchocerca

A genus of elongated filariform nematodes (family Onchocercidae) that inhabit the connective tissue of their hosts, usually within firm nodules in which these parasites are coiled and entangled. SYN: Oncocerca. [G. onkos, a barb, + kerkos, tail]

- Onchocerca volvulus the blinding nodular worm, a species that causes onchocerciasis.

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On·cho·cer·ca .äŋ-kə-'sər-kə n a genus of long slender filarial worms of the family Dipetalonematidae that are parasites of subcutaneous and connective tissues of mammals with their adults enclosed in fibrous nodules and their larvae free in the tissues

on·cho·cer·cal -kəl adj

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n.

a genus of parasitic worms (see filaria) occurring in central Africa and central America. The adult worms are found in fibrous nodules within the connective tissues beneath the skin and their presence causes disease (see onchocerciasis). Various species of black fly, in which Onchocerca undergoes part of its development, transmit the infective larvae to humans.

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On·cho·cer·ca (ong″ko-surґkə) [oncho- + Gr. kerkos tail] a genus of nematode parasites of the superfamily Filarioidea that infect humans and ruminants. The adults live and breed in subcutaneous fibroid nodules; the young (the microfilariae) are carried by the lymph and are found chiefly in the skin, subcutaneous connective tissues, and eyes.