Title: Parasitic Helminths | Microbiology
Headings: Parasitic Helminths
Parasitic Helminths
Learning Objectives
Nematoda (Roundworms)
Clinical Focus: Anthony, Part 2
Think about It
Platyhelminths (Flatworms)
Think about It
Food for Worms?
Eradicating the Guinea Worm
Key Concepts and Summary
Multiple Choice
Fill in the Blank
Think about It

Content: Think about It
What is the most common nematode infection in the United States? Platyhelminths (Flatworms)
Phylum Platyhelminthes (the platyhelminths) are flatworms. This group includes the flukes, tapeworms, and the turbellarians, which include planarians. The flukes and tapeworms are medically important parasites (Figure 2). Figure 2. Phylum Platyhelminthes is divided into four classes. ( a) Class Turbellaria includes the Bedford’s flatworm ( Pseudobiceros bedfordi ), which is about 8–10 cm long. ( b) The parasitic class Monogenea includes Dactylogyrus spp. Worms in this genus are commonly called gill flukes. The specimen pictured here is about 0.2 mm long and has two anchors, indicated by arrows, that it uses to latch onto the gills of host fish. (