RT Book, Section A1 Langston, Shannon M. A1 Bales, Brian D. A2 Knoop, Kevin J. A2 Stack, Lawrence B. A2 Storrow, Alan B. A2 Thurman, R. Jason SR Print(0) ID 1181051293 T1 Dracunculiasis T2 The Atlas of Emergency Medicine, 5e YR 2021 FD 2021 PB McGraw-Hill PP New York, NY SN 9781260134940 LK accessemergencymedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1181051293 RD 2023/10/04 AB Dracunculiasis is a debilitating roundworm infection caused by Dracunculus medinensis, commonly known as the Guinea worm. Dracunculiasis was historically widespread throughout equatorial Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, but the disease is now isolated to limited areas of Africa due to intensive eradication efforts. Dracunculiasis has a complex life cycle beginning when infected water fleas, or cyclops, are ingested while drinking from unclean water sources. Following ingestion, the larval worm penetrates through the stomach and intestine and migrates to the subcutaneous tissue, where it matures and reproduces. A painful wound develops, usually on the lower extremity, when the female emerges to release larvae. Immersion in water relieves the pain, allowing the worm to release larvae and complete the life cycle.