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lungworm
noun
lung·worm
ˈləŋ-ˌwərm
: any of various nematodes that infest the lungs and air passages of mammals
Examples of lungworm in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
A number of dead rodents collected at the Atlanta zoo turned out to have rat lungworm infections.
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Eric Bangeman, Ars Technica, 25 Dec. 2023
Rat lungworm was first identified in Asia and is prevalent in Southeast Asia and tropical Pacific islands, per the CDC.
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Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Sep. 2023
The lungworm cannot pass from person to person, and fish do not spread it.
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Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Sep. 2023
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the snails can carry the rat lungworm parasite, which is known to cause parasitic meningitis in people who eat raw or undercooked snails.
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USA TODAY, 1 July 2023
In addition to damaging local ecosystems, the sizable snail is known to transmit a rat lungworm parasite that can cause meningitis in humans.
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Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 22 June 2023
Beyond property damage, the massive snails can also carry rat lungworm, a parasite that causes eosinophilic meningitis in humans and livestock.
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Averi Kremposky, Peoplemag, 21 June 2023
Survival of the feces: Does a nematode lungworm adaptively manipulate the behavior of its cane toad host?
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Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 28 Apr. 2018
Giant African land snails can carry a parasite called rat lungworm, known to cause meningitis in humans and livestock, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 1 July 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lungworm.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1882, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near lungworm
Cite this Entry
“Lungworm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lungworm. Accessed 18 Jun. 2024.
Medical Definition
lungworm
noun
lung·worm
-ˌwərm
: any of various nematodes especially of the family Metastrongylidae that infest the lungs and air passages of mammals: as
a
: a nematode of the genus Dictyocaulus
b
: a lungworm of the genus Metastrongylus (M. apri synonym M. elongatus) that infests swine and causes bronchitis
More from Merriam-Webster on lungworm
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lungworm
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