DRACUNCULIASIS (Disease of
the empty granary/ Guinea worm
disease)
- A tissue nematode
Etiology: Dracunculus medinensis
(Dragon worm, Fiery serpent of
Israelites, Guinea worm, Serpent
worm; also “little snakes” by the
Greeks and Romans)
- Parasite of ancient origin
Intermediate host & Vector: Cyclops/
Water fleas/ Copepod in clear & stagnant
water (size” 0.5- .3 mm)
- Encyclops serrulatus
- Mesocyclops spp.
- Thermocyclops vermifer
Distribution: Africa, Indian sub- continent
*can be seen in places where there is no
access of clean and potable water, highly
impoverished, no provision of clean or
drinking water
Dracunculus medinensis ( Adult)
- Female: reaches 50cm length x
1.5 mm diameter, (Habitat;
subcutaneous tissues, e.g., legs,
backs, arms)
- Male- rarely seen as it dies after
mating
- Slender, milky white, thread-like
- Viviparous- discharges embryo
(larvae) into freshwater
- Male form is short with a coiled
tail, while the female is longer
than the male that reaches 4 feet
** The anterior of the larva is rounded , but
the posterior Is prolonged into a tapering tail
LIFE CYCLE OF DRACUNCULUS
MEDINENSIS (aquatic life cycle- parasite
needs fresh water for develop
Anterior part- unang part ng female na
lalabas sa blister
-Gravid female induces the formation of
ulcer- like sore (blister) through which it
can protrude its anterior end (with water
contact)
- Body wall of the female parasite is
ruptured allowing the gravid uterus to
prolapse and release L1 larvae (0.5
million per day) **kailangan niya munang
mairelease lahat ng larvae then
mamamatay na siya.
**L1 larvae are active in the water up to 1
week until being ingested by the cyclops
** L1 larvae resides in the hemocoel of
the cyclops to become L3 larva within 12-
14 days ( with 2 molts)
**1 cyclops = 1 larva
Guinea worms infection in animals:
-Animals may also be infected with
Dracunculus medinensis
- Infections may be seen among domestic
cats & dogs
- Therefore, eradication program for the
disease should require stopping
infections in both humans and animals
Guinea worm disease does not kill, but
infected people become non-functional
for months (kasi yung blister produced by
the female is very painful). Since the peak
transmission period often coincides with
the agricultural season, fields are left
unattended & food production level goes
down (thus called as the disease of the
empty granary in Mali. As adults lie sick,
older children must take on the
household chores and miss months of
schooling. Smaller children might miss
vital vaccinations.
TREATMENT
**there is no medication or vaccine
available for Dracunculiasis
Stick therapy
- As soon as the female worm
shows herself, the end is tied
with a fine silk to a match stick,
it is then worm out daily with
gentle traction, combined with
sterile dressing & acriflavine
cream until the whole parasite
is extracted. This takes about
15- 20 days, or 3 months
**kung mapuputol ang parasite, it will
lead to gangrene- inflammation of the
subcutaneous tissue.
- Anti-inflammatory agents
used: albendazole.
Mebendazole, metronidazole,
miridazole, thiabendazole-
does not kill the worm; prevent
inflammation of the blister and
also hasten the expulsion of
the worm
PREVENTION MANAGEMENT
- Filter or boil the drinking water
- Persuading or preventing
infected person with an
emerging worm from entering
the water source
- Treating water sources with
insectices. Temephos (1ppm)=
insecticide added to ponds to
kill Cyclops for 5-6 weeks, has
low toxicity to mammals and
fishes