tunnel disease

1 definition found

tunnel disease - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  ankylostomiasis \an`ky*los*to*mi"a*sis\, ancylostomiasis
  
  \an`cy*los*to*mi"a*sis\([a^][ng]`k[i^]*l[o^]s*t[-o]*m[imac]"[.a]*s[i^]s),
     n. [NL., fr. Ankylostoma, var. of Agchylostoma, generic name
     of one genus of the parasitic nematodes.] (Med.)
     A disease caused by the hookworm parasites of the genus
     Ancylostoma (especially Ancylostoma duodenale), and
     Necator americanus. Typically, infection in humans occurs
     in the small intestine. In the small intestine they suck the
     blood from the wall and, when present in large numbers,
     produce a severe anaemia. Called also miner's anaemia,
     tunnel disease, brickmaker's anaemia, Egyptian chlorosis
     .
     [Webster 1913 Suppl. + AS]