Onchocerciasis

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  onchocerciasis \onchocerciasis\ n. (Med.)
     An infection with nematodes of the genus {Onchocerca},
     especially {Onchocerca volvulus}. Untreated, such infections
     can cause serious dermatological problems, and in advanced
     cases may lead to blindness. In certain areas of tropical
     Africa the blindness caused by onchocerciasis is called


     {river blindness}.
     [PJC]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  onchocerciasis
       n : infestation with slender threadlike roundworms (filaria)
           deposited under the skin by the bite of black fleas; when
           the eyes are involved it can result in blindness; common
           in Africa and tropical America [syn: {river blindness}]