microfilaria

[ mahy-kroh-fi-lair-ee-uh ]

noun

, plural mi·cro·fi·lar·i·ae [mahy-kroh-fi-, lair, -ee-ee].

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.

microfilaria

/ ˌmaɪkrəʊfɪˈlɛərɪə /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of microfilaria¹

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

Example Sentences

"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

It works by capturing video of a blood sample and looking for the characteristic "wriggling" motion of Loa loa microfilaria.

From The Verge

Soon after entering the circulatory system of the human host the parasites make their way into the lymphatics where they attain sexual maturity, and in due time new generations of the larval filariæ or microfilariæ are poured into the lymph, and finally into the definite blood-vessels, ready to be sucked up by the next mosquito that feeds on the patient.

From Project Gutenberg

This is supposed to be due to the fact that the disease-producing parasites have died and that the lymphatics have become so obstructed that any microfilariæ they may contain cannot make their way into the general circulation.

From Project Gutenberg