microfilaria

n., pl., -i·ae (-ē-ē').
The minute larval form of a filarial worm.

microfilarial mi'cro·fi·lar'i·al adj.

(mī'krō-fə-lâr'ē-ə)
n., pl. -i·ae (-ē-ē').

The minute larval form of a filarial worm.

mi'cro·fi·lar'i·al adj.

The larva of worms in the superfamily Filarioidea. They are produced by adult worms residing in the bloodstream, tissues or body cavities, from where they can be ingested by biting insects. There they pass through a developmental stage and are transmitted to another permanent host when it is bitten by the insect. The microfilariae of some species are nocturnal and are therefore available for transmission only at night.