Armillifer is a genus of tongue worms in the subclass Pentastomida.[1][2] It contains the following species:[3]

Armillifer
Armillifer armillatus from the respiratory tract of Python sebae
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Ichthyostraca
Order: Porocephalida
Family: Porocephalidae
Subfamily: Armilliferinae
Genus: Armillifer
Sambon, 1922
Synonyms
  • Ligamifer Heymons, 1932

Interactions with humans

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Obligate parasites, Armillifer worms had been linked to human disease as early as 1847, although infections are rare and are caused by human consumption of undercooked meat of a host. The majority of infections are caused by the tropical African species Armillifer armillatus. Only 45% of patients in one study experienced symptoms from the infection. Unfortunately, 67% of patients with worm infections in their eyes were driven permanently blind by the parasite.[4]

References

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  1. ^ R. Heymons (1935). "Pentastomida". In H. G. Bronns (ed.). Klassen und Ordnungen des Tierreichs. Fünfter Band. IV Abteilung, 1. Buch. Leipzig: Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft m.b.H. pp. 1–268 pp.
  2. ^ J. T. Self (1969). "Biological relationships of the Pentastomida: a bibliography on the Pentastomida". Experimental Parasitology. 24 (1): 63–119. doi:10.1016/0014-4894(69)90222-7. PMID 4887218.
  3. ^ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Armillifer Sambon, 1922". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2022-12-11.
  4. ^ Ioannou, Petros; Vamvoukaki, Rodanthi (2019). "Armillifer Infections in Humans: A Systematic Review". Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease. 4 (2): 80. doi:10.3390/tropicalmed4020080. ISSN 2414-6366. PMC 6631905. PMID 31100831.