Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus

Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus
	Adult M. Hirudinaceus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Acanthocephala
Class:	Archiacanthocephala
Order:	Oligacanthorhynchida
Family:	Oligacanthorhynchidae
Genus:	Macracanthorhynchus
Species:	M. hirudinaceus
Binomial name
	Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus; (Pallas, 1781)
Synonyms
	Echinorhynchus gigas (Block, 1782); Macracanthorhynchus gigas (Block, 1782); Echinorhynchus hirundinacea (Palas, 1781); Gigantorhynchus hirundinaceus (Pallas, 1781); Gigantorhynchus gigas (Block, 1782); Hormorhynchus gigas (Block, 1782); Taenia haeruca (Pallas, 1776); Taenia hirundinaceus (Pallas, 1781);

Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus is an acanthocephalan parasite which lives in the intestines of pigs and other suids, and very occasionally in humans or dogs. It causes enteritis, gastritis or peritonitis. Its life cycle includes beetles of the genus Melolontha as intermediate hosts. It is known as, "Giant Thorny-Headed Worm of swine".

References

^ Acanthocephala
^ Zoonosis y Enfermedades Transmisibles Comunes al Hombre y a los Animales: Parasitosis, Pan American Health Org. 3 edition (31 Dec 2003) ISBN 978-92-75-31993-2
^ ITIS - Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus

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