Dracunculiasis: Difference between revisions

(Text replacement - "Category:TropMed" to "Category:Tropical Medicine")
(Text replacement - "5 mg" to "5mg")
Line 16: Line 16:


==Management==
==Management==
*Metronidazole 750 mg TID x 5-10 days '''OR''' thiabendazole 50-75 mg/day divided BID x 3 days
*Metronidazole 750 mg TID x 5-10 days '''OR''' thiabendazole 50-75mg/day divided BID x 3 days
*Must also extract adult worm from skin
*Must also extract adult worm from skin
*Patients with active skin lesions should avoid contact with potable water
*Patients with active skin lesions should avoid contact with potable water

Revision as of 19:23, 18 July 2016

Background

  • Also known as Guinea Worm disease
  • Caused by Dracunculus medinensis - infection due to drinking contaminated water
  • Generally limited to central Africa
    • Effort underway to eradicate disease in endemic countries[1]

Clinical Features

  • Adult worm migrates through subcutaneous tissues of the leg and erodes through skin, approx 1 year after infection[1]
  • Symptoms prior to eruption include: rash, intense pruritus, nausea, vomiting, dyspnea, and diarrhea

Differential Diagnosis

Helminth infections

Cestodes (Tapeworms)

Trematodes (Flukes)

Nematodes (Roundworms)

Diagnosis

  • Clinical diagnosis

Management

  • Metronidazole 750 mg TID x 5-10 days OR thiabendazole 50-75mg/day divided BID x 3 days
  • Must also extract adult worm from skin
  • Patients with active skin lesions should avoid contact with potable water

Disposition

  • Discharge

See Also

External Links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Hopkins DR, Ruiz-Tiben E, Eberhard ML, Roy SL; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Progress toward global eradication of dracunculiasis--January 2013-June 2014. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2014 Nov 21;63(46):1050-4.