Dracunculus Medinensis

Dracunculiasis or rice worm is a parasitic disease caused by guinea worm, a type of roundworm. This species parasitizes mainly humans and is known as dracunculiasis. It is also called African rickettsial fever or Chinese river fever. The causative agent of the disease, Guinea worm, is one of the smallest roundworms in the world. The average size parasite does not exceed 3 mm in length. But the life cycle of this worm is very long. Another characteristic feature is that the parasite has a very well developed head, although the body is small. The infection is treated by a doctor-parasitologist, since several features are possible when identifying the disease and subsequent therapy. For example, the head may be completely healthy and does not need to be removed during surgery.