Dracunculus (nematode)

Dracunculus
Dracunculus medinensis larvae
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Nematoda
Class: Secernentea
Order: Camallanida
Family: Dracunculidae
Genus: Dracunculus
Reichard, 1759
Species

Dracunculus alii
Dracunculus dahomensis
Dracunculus fuelliborni
Dracunculus globocephalus
Dracunculus insignis
Dracunculus lutrae
Dracunculus medinensis
Dracunculus ophidensis

Dracunculus is a genus of spirurid nematode parasites in the family Dracunculidae.

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.