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Dracunculus (nematode)
Genus of roundworms / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Guinea worms" redirects here. Some species of Dracunculus are called Guinea worms, most commonly Dracunculus medinensis.
Dracunculus is a genus of spiruroid nematode parasites in the family Dracunculidae.
Quick Facts Dracunculus, Scientific classification ...
Dracunculus | |
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Dracunculus medinensis larvae | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Nematoda |
Class: | Secernentea |
Order: | Camallanida |
Family: | Dracunculidae |
Genus: | Dracunculus Reichard, 1759 |
Species | |
Dracunculus alii |
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The worms can reach a metre in length. If one simply pulls off the protruding head of the worm, the worm will break and leak high levels of foreign antigen which can lead to anaphylactic shock and fast death of the host. Hence it is important to remove the worm slowly (over a period of weeks). This is typically undertaken by winding the worm onto a stick (say, a matchstick), by a few centimetres each day.