dracunculiasis

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dra·cun·cu·li·a·sis

D5385625 (drə-kŭng′kyə-lī′ə-sĭs) also dra·cun·cu·lo·sis (-lō′sĭs)n. Infection with guinea worms, characterized by painful blisters and lesions of the skin where the worms emerge. Also called dracontiasis, guinea worm disease.

[New Latin Dracunculus, genus of the guinea worm (from medieval Latin dracunculus, festering sore, ulcer; see rankle) + -iasis.]

dracunculiasis

(drəˌkʌŋkjʊˈlaɪəsɪs) na disease caused by infection with the Guinea worm

Thesaurus

Noun

dracunculiasis - a painful and debilitating infestation contracted by drinking stagnant water contaminated with Guinea worm larvae that can mature inside a human's abdomen until the worm emerges through a painful blister in the person's skinGuinea worm, Guinea worm diseaseinfestation - the state of being invaded or overrun by parasites

Dracunculiasis

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Dracunculiasis

helminthiasis caused by the roundworm (helminth) Dracunculus medinensis, a nematode that parasitizes mainly subcutaneous tissue. It attacks man and some animals (dogs, jackals, and so forth). It is widespread in some parts of Africa, India, the Arabian Peninsula, Iran, and Brazil. In the USSR, it was observed in separate areas in Middle Asia; it was eradicated with the active help of the Soviet scientist L. M. Isaev and has not been reported since 1932.

Human beings become infected when they swallow the infested crustacean Cyclops with water. Nine to 14 months after infection, allergic symptoms (hives, attacks of asphyxia, and so forth), as well as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fainting spells occur. A blister forms on the skin around the place where the helminth has penetrated. The parasite can often be seen in this place. The blister breaks a few days later, with the formation and subsequent sloughing off of a necrotic mass. When a person goes into the water (to bathe), the larva of the parasite escapes from the infected area into the water and enters the body of Cyclops.

Dracunculiasis may be complicated by synovitis (inflammation of the joint capsules), contractures, and so forth. Treatment consists in surgical removal of the helminth and administration of anti-inflammatory agents. Prevention consists in proper organization of the water supply system.

REFERENCE

Kassirskii, I. A., and N. N. Plotnikov. Bolezni zharkikh stran, 2nd ed. Moscow, 1964.

dracunculiasis

Note: This page may contain terms or definitions that are offensive or inappropriate for some readers.

dracunculiasis

[drah-kung″ku-li´ah-sis] infection by nematodes of the genus Dracunculus.

dra·cun·cu·li·a·sis

, dracunculosis (dra'kŭng-kyū-lī'ă-sis, -kyū-lō'sis), Infection with Dracunculus medinensis.

dracunculiasis

(drə-kŭng′kyə-lī′ə-sĭs) also

dracunculosis

(-lō′sĭs)n. Infection with guinea worms, characterized by painful blisters and lesions of the skin where the worms emerge. Also called dracontiasis, guinea worm disease.

dra·cun·cu·li·a·sis

, dracunculosis (dră-kŭng'kyū-lī'ă-sis, -lō'sis) Infection with Dracunculus medinensis.

dracunculiasis

Related to dracunculiasis: schistosomiasis

Note: This page may contain terms or definitions that are offensive or inappropriate for some readers.

noun

Synonyms for dracunculiasis

noun a painful and debilitating infestation contracted by drinking stagnant water contaminated with Guinea worm larvae that can mature inside a human's abdomen until the worm emerges through a painful blister in the person's skin

Synonyms

Guinea worm
Guinea worm disease

Related Words

infestation