Guinea worm disease, also known as dracunculiasis, is caused by the nematode Dracunculus medinensis. It is transmitted when people drink water contaminated with infected water fleas. Symptoms appear over a year after infection and include a burning rash and the emergence of the female worm from the skin. Extraction of the worm is a slow process that can take weeks or months. Global eradication efforts have led to a significant reduction in cases, with the disease now only remaining in a few countries in Africa.

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

2. •Most commonly knownas:
GUINEA WORM
 longest nematode known
Common associated disease:
DRACUNCULIASIS or GUINEA
WORM DISEASE

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

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

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

6. 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 millionembryos

7. Intermediate host:
CYCLOPS
Definitive host:
HUMAN

10.  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

13. Examination ofthefluiddischargedby the worm
canshow rhabditiformlarvae.

15. • Drug Therapy—Metronidazole
• Tohelp prevent bacterial infections
• Anti-inflammatory to help reduce swelling
• Treatment includes the extraction of the adult
guinea worm by rolling it a few centimeters per
day
• Usually takes weeks or months depending on how longthe
worm is.
• Exposing area to cold water helps remove worm
faster.
• Preferably by multiple surgical incisions under
local
anesthesia.
• Infection does not make a personimmune

16. TOTAL REMOVAL OF THE WORM

18. Guinea Worm Disease (Dracunculiasis). Image. Web. 8 Dec.
2012. <guardian.co.uk>
Guinea Worm. Image. Web. 8
Dec. 2012. <Who.int>

19.  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

20. 1986: Global Dracunculiasis Eradication Campaign
: Former USPresident JimmyCarter

21.  First described as early as 1530 BC and some historians believe
it is the "fiery serpent” described in the Bible. FIERY SERPENTS"
MAY HAVE BEEN REFERRING TO GUINEA WORM: "AND THE
LORD SENT FIERY SERPENTS AMONG THE PEOPLE, AND
THEY BIT THE PEOPLE; AND MUCH PEOPLE OF ISRAEL
DIED."
 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