guinea worm

guinea worm
guinea worm n a slender tropical nematode worm of the genus Dracunculus (D. medinensis) that is a human parasite with no known animal reservoir, has an adult female that may attain a length of several feet, and is characterized by a life cycle which includes larval development in copepods of the genus Cyclops, ingestions by humans in contaminated drinking water, passage from the intestine to connective tissues of the thorax and abdomen for maturation and mating, and migration of gravid females to subcutaneous tissues and then out through the skin called also Medina worm see dracunculiasis

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a nematode worm, Dracunculus medinensis, that is a parasite of humans. The white threadlike adult female, 60-120 cm long, lives in the connective tissues beneath the skin. It releases its larvae into a large blister on the legs or arms; when the limbs are immersed in water the larvae escape and are subsequently eaten by tiny water fleas (Cyclops), inside which their development continues. The disease dracontiasis results from drinking water contaminated with Cyclops.

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Dracunculus medinensis.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • Guinea worm — Guinea Guin ea (g[i^]n [ e]), n. 1. A district on the west coast of Africa (formerly noted for its export of gold and slaves) after which the Guinea fowl, Guinea grass, Guinea peach, etc., are named. [1913 Webster] 2. A gold coin of England… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Guinea worm — n. a nematode worm (Dracunculus medinensis) of tropical Africa and S Asia, parasitic as an adult in the subcutaneous tissues of humans and other mammals: the female can reach a length of c. 90 cm ( c. 3 ft) …   English World dictionary

  • guinea worm — a long, slender, roundworm, Dracunculus medinensis, parasitic under the skin of humans and animals, common in parts of India and Africa. Also, Guinea worm. [1690 1700] * * * or medina worm or dragon worm Nematode (Dracunculus medinensis) that is… …   Universalium

  • Guinea worm — noun 1. 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 • Syn:… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Guinea worm disease — A parasitic disease caused by infection with the guinea worm (Dracunculus medinensis), the largest parasite known to plague people. Guinea worm disease is also called Dracunculiasis and end of the road disease because it is not seen in the big… …   Medical dictionary

  • Guinea worm disease — 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 • Syn: ↑Guinea… …   Useful english dictionary

  • guinea-worm — noun A long, white parasitic worm which can live in the human skin. the rishta doctors patiently removing guinea worms, making an incision, trapping the three foot long creatures head in a cleft at the end of a stick, and then slowly winding it… …   Wiktionary

  • guinea worm — noun Date: 1699 a slender nematode worm (Dracunculus medinensis) of tropical regions that is parasitic in humans, has no known animal reservoir, and has an adult female that infests subcutaneous tissues and may attain a length of several feet …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Guinea worm — noun a very long parasitic nematode worm which lives under the skin of infected humans and other mammals in rural Africa and Asia. [Dracunculus medinensis.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • guinea worm — a nematode worm, Dracunculus medinensis, that is a parasite of humans. The white threadlike adult female, 60–120 cm long, lives in the connective tissues beneath the skin. It releases its larvae into a large blister on the legs or arms; when the… …   The new mediacal dictionary

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