Definition

Noun: 1. A parasitic flatworm: A blood fluke is a type of parasitic flatworm (trematode) that lives in the blood vessels of its host, which is typically a mammal.

Usage

The term "blood fluke" is used specifically in medical, veterinary, and biological contexts to describe these parasitic organisms. It refers to the worm itself. - Schistosoma mansoni is a species of blood fluke that causes intestinal schistosomiasis in humans. - The veterinarian identified the infection as being caused by a blood fluke.

Advanced Usage

• The life cycle of a blood fluke is complex, often involving freshwater snails as an intermediate host.
• Infections caused by blood flukes are known as schistosomiasis or bilharzia.

Variants and Related Words

• Schistosome: This is the scientific name for a blood fluke, belonging to the genus . The terms are often used interchangeably in technical contexts.
  • The schistosome eggs are responsible for the tissue damage associated with the disease.

Synonyms

• Parasitic flatworm: A general descriptive term.
• Trematode: The broader class of flatworms to which blood flukes belong.

Related Phrases

• Blood fluke infection: Refers to the disease state caused by the parasite.
  • The patient was treated for a severe blood fluke infection.

Noun

1. flatworms parasitic in the blood vessels of mammals