microfilaria

American  

[mahy-kroh-fi-lair-ee-uh] / ˌmaɪ kroʊ fɪˈlɛər i ə /

noun

microfilariae plural

1. the embryonic larva of the nematode parasite Filaria or of related genera, especially of those species that cause heartworm in dogs and elephantiasis in humans.

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microfilaria British  

/ ˌmaɪkrəʊfɪˈlɛərɪə /

noun

1. zoology the early larval stage of certain parasitic nematodes (filariae), found in the blood of infected individuals

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• microfilariae
  plural

Etymology

Origin of microfilaria

From New Latin, dating back to 1875–80; see origin at micro-, filaria

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

microfilaria microfilariae

"The microfilaria are just scattered throughout their brains, and even though the damage from each is miniscule, they're basically shot-gunning the whole brain," said Kyle Taylor, a pathologist at WSU's Washington Animal Disease Diagnostics Laboratory.

From Science Daily ● May 15, 2024

Nine of the infected not only had adult worms in their major arteries but their brains were littered with microfilariae, the microscopic early life stage of the worm.

From Science Daily ● May 15, 2024

"We hypothesize the cumulative effects of large numbers of microfilariae in the brain may be associated with increased morbidity or chance of mortality, with mortality more likely in cases with larger numbers of worms."

From Science Daily ● May 15, 2024

These microfilariae are subsequently taken up by mosquitoes during a blood meal to continue the cycle of transmission.

From Nature ● Mar. 28, 2017

Some groups have employed an assay that tests how macrocyclic lactones affect the movement of microfilariae in a culture dish, but many are sceptical about the results.

From Nature ● Mar. 28, 2017

Once ensconced there, the adult worms release early-stage larvae known as microfilariae into circulation.

From Nature ● Mar. 28, 2017