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Book

Dracunculiasis

Prashanth Rawla  1 , Arif Jan  2
In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan.
.
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Book

Dracunculiasis

Prashanth Rawla et al.
Free Books & Documents

Excerpt

Dracunculiasis, also known as Guinea-worm disease, is a parasitic disease caused by the nematode Dracunculus medinensis. Infection is transmitted to humans by drinking water contaminated with the small crustacean copepods (Cyclops), containing the larvae of D. medinensis. Humans are the principal definitive host, and Cyclops being the intermediate host. The disease is endemic to the rural and poorer areas of the world and is most common in African countries like Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Mali. Efforts are underway towards the global eradication of this disease.

Mature female worms can measure up to 1 meter in length and are 1 to 2 mm wide. Male worms measure 15 to 40mm in length and are 0.4 mm wide.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: Prashanth Rawla declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Arif Jan declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

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References

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