Where Is Dioctophyme Renale Found?

Dioctophyma renale commonly referred to as the “giant kidney worm” is one of the largest parasitic nematodes. Adult worms are found in the kidneys of many flesh-eating mammal species, including humans. Humans acquire infection with D. renale mainly by eating raw or undercooked fish or frogs containing infective larvae.

Can humans get giant kidney worm?

Causal Agent. Dioctophyme (=Dioctophyma) renale, the giant kidney worm, is the largest known parasitic nematode infecting humans — adult females can reach over one meter in length. The genus has been spelled as both “Dioctophyma” and “Dioctophyme”. Human infections are very rare.

What is the intermediate host for Dioctophyma Renale?

Dioctophyma renale is the largest nematode that infects domestic mammals and is the aetiologic agent of a serious renal disease, dioctophymatosis. It has an indirect life cycle with carnivores serving as final hosts and earthworms as intermediate hosts.