ORGANISM 5: Dracunculus medinensis
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
COMMON NAME: Guinea worm.
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Africa, Asia (India).
PATHOGENESIS: Subcutaneous blisters, edema, abscesses, extensive ulceration,
necrosis, eosinophilia.
HABITAT: Connective and subcutaneous tissue.
INTERMEDIATE HOST: Copepod (Cyclops species).
RESERVOIR HOST: Dogs, cats, apes, cattle, and horses.
INFECTIVE FORM: Third-stage larva.
MODE OF INFECTION: Ingestion.
SPECIMEN OF CHOICE: Exudate from irrigated lesions.
Figure 4-27. Life cycle of Dracunculus medinensis.
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