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- $Unique_ID{BRK03670}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Dracunculosis}
- $Subject{Dracunculosis Dracontiasis Dracunculiasis Fiery Serpent Infection
- Guinea Worm Infection}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1988, 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
-
- 516:
- Dracunculosis
-
- ** IMPORTANT **
- It is possible the main title of the article (Dracunculosis) is not the
- name you expected. Please check the SYNONYMS listing on the next page to
- find alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
-
- Synonyms
-
- Dracontiasis
- Dracunculiasis
- Fiery Serpent Infection
- Guinea Worm Infection
-
- General Discussion
-
- ** REMINDER **
- The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
- educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
- purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
- contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
- section of this report.
-
- Dracunculosis is an infection caused by a parasitic worm known as
- Dracunculus medinensis, the guinea worm. Infected water fleas release the
- larvae of the worm into drinking water. Ingestion of contaminated water
- causes the larvae to migrate from the intestines via the abdominal cavity to
- the tissue under the skin. The larvae mature and release a toxic substance
- that makes the overlying skin ulcerate. After treatment, symptoms disappear
- and the worms can be safely removed from the skin.
-
- Symptoms
-
- Dracunculosis is characterized by chronic skin ulcers. Tissue under the skin
- is infiltrated by developing larvae of the parasitic worm known as
- Dracunculus medinensis, or Guinea worm. A female worm ready to release
- larvae produces stinging elevated spots (papules), causing redness and
- itching of the skin. These symptoms may be an allergic reaction to the
- parasite. The spots form blisters and later rupture, developing into painful
- ulcers. Multiple ulcers (usually on the legs) are common. Without
- treatment, the worms are absorbed or protrude from the skin over a period of
- several weeks.
-
- Causes
-
- Dracunculosis is caused by swallowing water containing small, barely visible
- water fleas which carry the larva of the parasitic Guinea worm (Dracunculus
- medinensis).
-
- Affected Population
-
- Dracunculosis affects people in regions of Africa, the Middle East, and
- India, where drinking water is contaminated with the guinea worm (Dracunculus
- medinensis).
-
- Therapies: Standard
-
- Diagnosis of Dracunculosis is made after finding larvae of the Dracunculus
- medinensis worm during microscopic examination of fluid discharged from a
- blister. The disorder is treated with a drug used against parasitic flukes
- (antischistosomal) niridazole, or drugs used against worms (antihelmintic)
- thiabendazole or metronidazole. Treatment with these drugs promptly relieves
- symptoms and allows safe removal of the worms.
-
- Chlorination, boiling, and straining of contaminated drinking water in
- areas of the world with poor sanitation can prevent transmission of
- Dracunculosis.
-
- Therapies: Investigational
-
- This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
- October 1989. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep
- every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate.
- Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most
- current information about this disorder.
-
- Resources
-
- For more information on Dracunculosis, please contact:
-
- National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
- P.O. Box 8923
- New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
- (203) 746-6518
-
- NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infections Diseases (NIAID)
- 9000 Rockville Pike
- Bethesda, MD 20892
- (301) 496-5717
-
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
- 1600 Clifton Road, NE
- Atlanta, GA 30333
- (404) 639-3534
-
- References
-
- THE COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PATTERNS OF GUINEA WORM PREVALENCE AS A GUIDE TO
- CONTROL STRATEGIES: S.J. Watts, et al.; Soc Sci Med (1986: issue 23(10)).
- Pp. 975-982.
-
- DRACUNCULUS ORCHITIS: A CASE REPORT: A. K. Pendse, et al.; J Trop Med
- Hyg (June 1987: issue 90(3)). Pp. 153-154.
-
- CONTROLLED COMPARATIVE TRIAL OF THIABENDAZOLE AND METRONIDAZOLE IN THE
- TREATMENT OF DRACONTIASIS: O.O. Kale, et al.; Ann Trop Med Parasitol (April
- 1983: issue 77(2)). Pp. 151-157.
-
-