Mansonella streptocerca

Mansonella streptocerca
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Nematoda
Class: Chromadorea
Order: Rhabditida
Family: Onchocercidae
Genus: Mansonella
Species:
M. streptocerca
Binomial name
Mansonella streptocerca
(Macfie & Corson, 1922)

Mansonella streptocerca (formerly Diptalonema streptocerca) is a filarial (arthropod-borne) nematode (roundworm) causing the disease streptocerciasis. It is a common parasite in the skin of humans in the rain forests of Africa, where it is thought to be a parasite of non-human primates, as well.

Mansonella streptocerca is one of three filarial nematodes that cause subcutaneous filariasis in humans. The other two are Loa loa (the African eye worm), and Onchocerca volvulus (agent of river blindness).:Table 1

The worm is distributed across West and Central Africa.