Blood fluke意思

"Blood fluke" is a term used to describe certain types of flatworms that parasitize the blood vessels of humans and other animals. These parasites belong to the class Trematoda, which includes flukes, and are specifically from the subclass Haploporoidea. Blood flukes are transmitted through the bites of infected vectors, such as certain species of snails or insects.

The most well-known blood fluke is Schistosoma, which causes schistosomiasis, a disease prevalent in many parts of the world, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Schistosomiasis is a major public health problem, affecting millions of people globally.

Blood flukes can cause a range of symptoms and health issues in their hosts, including inflammation, tissue damage, and in severe cases, organ failure. The severity of the disease can vary depending on the species of blood fluke and the individual's immune response.

It's important to note that blood flukes are different from other types of flukes that infect different parts of the body, such as liver flukes or intestinal flukes, which also belong to the class Trematoda but are from different subclasses and families.