Guinea worm

noun

variants or guinea worm

: a slender, parasitic, nematode worm (Dracunculus medinensis) of tropical regions that has an adult female that often attains a length of over 3 feet (91.5 centimeters) and is the causative agent of dracunculiasis

Note: The Guinea worm undergoes larval development in small freshwater copepod crustaceans (genus Cyclops) which are ingested by humans in contaminated drinking water. When the Guinea worm larvae are released, they pass from the stomach and intestine to the thorax and abdomen for maturation and mating. Gravid females of typically 24 to 40 inches (60 to 100 centimeters) in length migrate through subcutaneous tissues towards the skin especially of the lower legs and feet. At the skin surface, the female worms form painful blisters from which they slowly emerge approximately 10 to 14 months following initial infection. Upon immersion in water, the female expels hundreds of thousands of young larvae.

Examples of Guinea worm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In 1995, Carter negotiated a two-month cease-fire in Sudan to allow health care workers there to more safely help eradicate Guinea worm disease, prevent river blindness, and vaccinate children against polio. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 31 Dec. 2024

The center has also led health efforts, including the push to eradicate the tropical parasitic Guinea worm disease. —Marty Steinberg, CNBC, 29 Dec. 2024

But his second act as humanitarian, house builder, Guinea worm exterminator and Nobel Peace Prize winner was a portrait of perseverance and grace. —Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024

Among other initiatives, the Carter Center oversaw efforts to conduct free and fair elections in dozens of countries in the developing world, and helped lead global efforts to eliminate Guinea worm disease, which spread through unfiltered drinking water and once sickened millions across Africa. —Grace Segers, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2024

After his presidency, the Carter Center helped eradicate Guinea worm disease. —Noah Eckstein, Variety, 29 Dec. 2024

Accolades of the organization include observing 113 elections in 39 countries and helping reduce the cases of Guinea worm disease by 99.99%, essentially eradicating it, according to the Carter Center. —Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 29 Dec. 2024

In 1986, there were 3.5 million cases of Guinea worm worldwide; by 2023, there were 14. —Stuart E. Eisenstat, Foreign Affairs, 20 May 2024

Once in the millions, Guinea worm cases numbered 13 in 2023, Carter Center’s initial count says Protesta antigubernamental en Peru por privatizacion de venta de entradas a Machu Picchu Insider Q&A: Yes, politics affect markets. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1699, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

Guinea worm

noun

variants or guinea worm

: a slender, tropical, parasitic nematode worm of the genus Dracunculus (D. medinensis) that has an adult female that often attains a length of over 3 feet (91.5 centimeters) and is the causative agent of dracunculiasis

Note: The Guinea worm undergoes larval development in tiny freshwater copepod crustaceans (genus Cyclops) which are ingested by humans in contaminated drinking water. When the Guinea worm larvae are released, they pass from the stomach and intestine to the thorax and abdomen for maturation and mating. Gravid females of typically 24 to 40 inches (60 to 100 centimeters) in length migrate through subcutaneous tissues towards the skin especially of the lower legs and feet. At the skin surface, the female worms form painful blisters from which they slowly emerge approximately 10 to 14 months following initial infection. Upon immersion in water, the female expels hundreds of thousands of young larvae.

called also Medina worm