Which parasite is commonly referred to as the kidney worm?

Which parasite is commonly referred to as the kidney worm?

• A. Alaria
• B. Fascioloides
• C. Stephanurus
• D. Metastrongylus

Answer: (C)

The kidney worm is Stephanurus dentatus, a nematode that infects swine. Its adults live in the kidney and surrounding peri-renal tissues, so the name comes from their location. Eggs are shed in the urine, contaminating the environment, and pigs become infected by ingesting larvae from the environment or through skin penetration. The larvae migrate through the liver on their way to the kidneys to reach adulthood, which is why kidney-related disease can occur. Other options target different organs: Alaria is a trematode that infects dogs and cats; Fascioloides magna is a liver fluke of deer and other ruminants; Metastrongylus is a lungworm in pigs.

The kidney worm is Stephanurus dentatus, a nematode that infects swine. Its adults live in the kidney and surrounding peri-renal tissues, so the name comes from their location. Eggs are shed in the urine, contaminating the environment, and pigs become infected by ingesting larvae from the environment or through skin penetration. The larvae migrate through the liver on their way to the kidneys to reach adulthood, which is why kidney-related disease can occur. Other options target different organs: Alaria is a trematode that infects dogs and cats; Fascioloides magna is a liver fluke of deer and other ruminants; Metastrongylus is a lungworm in pigs.