An overview of the history, epidemiology, morphology, life cycle, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of Dracunculus medinensis.

1. Drah-kung”ku-lus/med”in-en’-sis
Juaban, E.M

2. Bible,
Numbers
21:4–8

3. ▪ Velschius (1674)
▪ Galen - dracontiasis
▪ Avicenna - Medina worm
▪ Carolus Linnaeus – Dracunculus medinensis
▪ Alesej Fedchenko – detailed morphology &
(1870) life cycle

4. Most commonly known as:
GUINEA WORM
▪ longest nematode known
Common associated dse:
DRACUNCULIASIS or
GUINEA WORM DISEASE
▪ neglected tropical disease

5. Intermediate host:
COPEPOD
Definitive host:
HUMAN

6. Found in parts of Africa, India, Asia, Pakistan & Middle East
Mali Chad
South Sudan
Ethiopia

7. MOT: Drinking contaminated water
Sources: fresh water (e.g. ponds and lakes), human-
made water holes, stagnant water
Reservoir hosts: dogs

8. Table 8-18 Dracunculus medinensis
First-Stage Larva
Parameter Description
Average size 620 by 15 μm
Tail
characteristics
Consumes one third of
body length; culminates
in a point
**Third-Stage Larva (L3)-(12-14 days)
INFECTIVE STAGE

9. Table 8-19 Dracunculus medinensis
Adults
Characteristic Adult male Adult female
Size 21 by 0.4 mm 840 by 1.5 mm
Other features Anterior end
coils itself at
least once
Prominent
blunt, rounded
anterior end
▪ mating happens after 3-4 months
▪ male worm dies after copulation
▪ viviparous
▪ carries 3 million embryos

11. ▪ Asymptomatic (1 year)
SYMPTOMS:
▪ Slight fever
▪ Itchy rash
▪ Nausea
▪ Vomiting
▪ Diarrhea
▪ Dizziness
CONDITIONS:
▪ Female worm emerges to
subcutaneous tissue
▪ Secondary bacterial infection:
❑ cellulitis
❑ abscesses
❑ sepsis
❑ joint infections
❑ tetanus
▪ Non-emergent worms:
❑ calcification
❑ disabilities

15. TOTAL REMOVAL OF THEWORM

17. ▪ Avoid exposure by drinking safe water
▪ Filtering or boiling drinking water
▪ Treat water containing copepods with pesticide
▪ Preventing infected person to go to water sources
▪ Health education

18. 1986: Global Dracunculiasis Eradication Campaign
: Former US President Jimmy Carter

19. ▪ calcified worms have been found in the mummified remains of 3000-
year-old Egyptians
▪ Philippines was certified to be free of dracunculiasis in 1999
▪ More than 1, 000 cases are found in animals
▪ 2nd disease and 1st parasitic disease to be eradicated
▪ D.medinensis is said to be the serpent on the Rod of Asclepius which is
adopted today as the symbol of medicine