Dracunculiasis

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Background

Life cycle of Dracunculus medinensi.
  • 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]

Helminth infections

Cestodes (Tapeworms)

Trematodes (Flukes)

Nematodes (Roundworms)

Clinical Features

Using a matchstick to wind up and remove a guinea worm from the leg of a human.

Differential Diagnosis

Travel-related skin conditions

See also domestic U.S. ectoparasites

Evaluation

  • Clinical diagnosis

Management

  • Metronidazole 750mg 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.