onchocerciasis
[ ong-koh-ser-kahy-uh-sis ]
/ ˌɒŋ koʊ sərˈkaɪ ə sɪs /
noun Pathology.
an infestation with filarial worms of the genus Onchocerca, common in tropical America and Africa, transmitted by black flies, and characterized by nodules under the skin, an itchy rash, eye lesions, and in severe cases, elephantiasis.
Also
on·cho·cer·co·sis
[ong-koh-ser-koh-sis] /ˌɒŋ koʊ sərˈkoʊ sɪs/.
Also called
river blindness.
Words nearby onchocerciasis
once upon a time,
once-over,
once-over-lightly,
oncer,
onchocerca,
onchocerciasis,
oncidium,
onco-,
oncocyte,
oncocytic hepatocellular tumor,
oncocytoma
British Dictionary definitions for onchocerciasis
onchocerciasis
/ (ˌɒŋkəʊsəˈkaɪəsɪs) /
noun plural -ses (-siːz)
a disease found in parts of Africa and tropical America that is caused by a parasitic worm, Onchocerca volvulus, and transmitted to humans by various species of black fly. It results in inflammation of the skin and in some cases blindness
Also called: river blindness
Word Origin for onchocerciasis
C20: from
Onchocerca, the genus of worms +
-iasis
Medical definitions for onchocerciasis
onchocerciasis
[ ŏng′kō-sər-kī′ə-sĭs ]
n.
A disease occurring in tropical Africa and Central America, transmitted by black flies and caused by infestation with filariform nematodes of the genus Onchocerca, especially O. volvulus, and characterized by nodular swellings on the skin and lesions of the eyes.
river blindness volvulosis