MICROBES OF THE DAY

GUINEA WORM
Dracunculus medinesisI

PREPARED BY: LESBETH ANN GAMOT

BSND-1A
 REASON FOR CHOOSING THIS
MICROBES
The guinea worm affect many people and animal
They can be found in rural areas and isolated
communities who depend only in open stagnant
surface water sources such as pond for drinking
water
 BRIEF DISCUSSION ABOUT ITS
COMMON NAME
Guinea worm, (Dracunculus medinesis), also called medina
worm or dragon worm, member of the phylum nematoda. the
guinea worm, a parasite of human, is found in tropical
regions of asia and africa and in the west indies and tropical
south america. variety of other mammals are also parasitized
by guinea worm. the disease caused by the worm are called
guinea worm disease( or dracunculiasis).
TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Nematoda
Class: Secernentea
Order: Spirurida
Family: Dracunculidae
Genus: Dracunculus
Species: Dracunculus
medinensis
 HISTORY
The Guinea worm is one of the oldest known parasitic
infections of humans, with evidence of the disease dating
back to ancient Egypt, as early as 1550 BC. It is also
mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible. The disease
was prevalent in many parts of Asia, Africa, and the
Middle East until the late 20th century, when concerted
efforts were made to eradicate it.
The Guinea worm disease is caused by the nematode worm
Dracunculus medinensis, which is transmitted to humans
through drinking water contaminated with tiny copepods
that harbor the worm larvae. Once ingested, the larvae
mature and mate in the human body, with the female worm
growing up to a meter long. Over the course of several
weeks, the female worm migrates to the skin surface,
usually in the lower limbs, and creates a painful blister.
When the blister ruptures, it releases thousands of
immature larvae into the water, continuing the cycle of
infection.
 The eradication efforts for Guinea worm began in the 1980s, and
involved a combination of water filtration, education, and treatment of
infected individuals. The Guinea Worm Eradication Program was
established in 1980, and has since reduced the number of cases from an
estimated 3.5 million in 1986 to just 27 reported cases in 2021. The
Carter Center, a non-profit organization founded by former US President
Jimmy Carter, has played a major role in these efforts. The goal is to
completely eradicate the disease, making it only the second disease in
human history, after smallpox, to be eradicated.
 LIFE CYCLE

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 EPIDEMIOLOGY
Guinea worm disease was once endemic in 21 countries in Africa
and Asia, but today it is primarily confined to remote and
marginalized communities in four countries: Chad, Ethiopia,
Mali, and South Sudan. In 2021, there were only 27 reported
cases of Guinea worm disease worldwide, with South Sudan
accounting for 96% of these cases.
 Guinea worm disease is a disease of poverty, affecting people
who lack access to clean water sources and sanitation facilities.
The disease typically occurs in rural areas where there is
limited access to healthcare and education. The transmission of
the disease is seasonal, with most cases occurring during the
rainy season when stagnant water sources become
contaminated with copepods.
 Efforts to control and eliminate Guinea worm disease have
been ongoing for several decades, with notable success. In
1986, there were an estimated 3.5 million cases of Guinea worm
disease in 20 countries, but by 2021, the number of cases had
been reduced to just 27. These achievements were due to the
implementation of strategies such as improving access to clean
water, educating communities on the disease, and promoting
behavioral changes that minimize the risk of infection. Despite
these achievements, the goal remains to completely eradicate
the disease.
 PATHOLOGY
The pathological effects of the Guinea worm disease are
mainly due to the migration and growth of the worm within
the human body. The worm causes inflammation and
damage to the surrounding tissues, leading to pain and
discomfort. The emergence of the worm from the skin
surface can also cause intense itching and secondary
bacterial infections. In some cases, the worm may break
off during extraction, leading to complications such as
abscesses and sepsis.
 Guinea worm disease can be prevented through simple
measures such as improving access to clean water,
educating communities on the disease, and promoting
behavioral changes that minimize the risk of infection. By
reducing the number of people who become infected with
the parasite, the pathology associated with the disease
can be eliminated.
 The adult female Guinea worm can reach up to one meter
(three feet) in length.
The disease is usually transmitted through drinking water
contaminated with tiny copepods that harbor the worm
larvae.
The disease is mostly found in rural, remote areas with limited
access to clean water sources and sanitation facilities.
The symptoms of the disease include a painful blister on the
skin, usually in the lower limbs, which eventually ruptures,
releasing thousands of immature larvae into the water.
There is no vaccine or specific treatment for Guinea worm
disease.

Guinea worm disease is one of the few parasitic diseases that is being
eradicated through concerted public health efforts.
The Guinea worm is one of the longest nematode worms that infect humans.
The worm has a unique reproductive strategy in which the female worm
emerges from the skin surface to release larvae into the water.
The symptoms of the disease are unique, with a painful blister being a
characteristic feature.
The disease has been known since ancient times, with references to Guinea
worm disease found in Egyptian papyri dating back to 1550 BCE.
The ecology of Guinea worm
(Dracunculus medinensis)
involves the interplay between
the worm, its intermediate
host, and the human population
it infects. The worm has a
complex lifecycle that involves
both aquatic and terrestrial
stages.
Guinea worm is closely tied to
water sources, as the larvae
require aquatic environments to
mature and infect copepods. Lack
of access to clean water and
sanitation facilities increases
the risk of infection, making it a
disease of poverty
The Guinea worm (Dracunculus medinensis) is an important medical
concern due to the debilitating effects of the disease it causes,
known as Guinea worm disease or dracunculiasis
 Here are some of the medical implications of Guinea worm
disease:
1. Disability: Guinea worm disease can cause debilitating pain, swelling, and
fever. It can lead to significant disability and interfere with daily
activities
.
2.Secondary bacterial infections: The open wound caused by the emerging
female Guinea worm can become infected with bacteria, leading to further
complications such as sepsis.

3.Limited treatment options: There is no specific treatment or vaccine for

Guinea worm disease. Treatment involves relieving symptoms and
preventing secondary infections.

 1. Economic impact: The disease is primarily found in rural areas

of sub-Saharan Africa, where it can have significant economic
impacts. Affected individuals may be unable to work or care
for their families due to disability or illness.

2. Eradication efforts: The global campaign to eradicate Guinea

worm disease has been ongoing for decades, with significant
progress made in reducing the number of cases. The disease is
now endemic in only a few countries, and eradication efforts are
ongoing.

GUINEA WORM
GUINEA WORM