TY - JOUR KW - Infectious Diseases KW - Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health KW - General Immunology and Microbiology AU - Pellegrino C AU - Patti G AU - Camporeale M AU - Belati A AU - Novara R AU - Papagni R AU - Frallonardo L AU - Diella L AU - Guido G AU - De Vita E AU - Totaro V AU - Segala FV AU - Veronese N AU - Cotugno S AU - Bavaro DF AU - Putoto G AU - Bevilacqua N AU - Castellani C AU - Nicastri E AU - Saracino A AU - Di Gennaro F AB -

Background: Dracunculiasis, also known as Guinea worm disease (GWD), is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by a parasite (Dracunculus medinensis). In the past, dracunculiasis was known as “the disease of the empty granary” because of the difficulties patients had in going to work in fields or to school when affected by this disease. In tropical areas, the condition has been widespread in economically disadvantaged communities, and has been associated with reduced economic status and low levels of education. Methods: we searched PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and WHO websites for literature addressing dracunculiasis published in the last 50 years. Results: by development and optimization of multi-layered control measures, transmission by the vector has been interrupted, but there are foci in several African countries with a high risk of compromising the results obtained in the control of this neglected disease. Conclusion: this review features state-of-the-art data on the infection prevalence, geographical distribution, diagnostics, parasite–host interactions, and the pathology of dracunculiasis. Also described are the current state and future perspectives for vector control and elimination strategies.

BT - Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease DO - 10.3390/tropicalmed7110366 IS - 11 LA - Eng N2 -

Background: Dracunculiasis, also known as Guinea worm disease (GWD), is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by a parasite (Dracunculus medinensis). In the past, dracunculiasis was known as “the disease of the empty granary” because of the difficulties patients had in going to work in fields or to school when affected by this disease. In tropical areas, the condition has been widespread in economically disadvantaged communities, and has been associated with reduced economic status and low levels of education. Methods: we searched PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and WHO websites for literature addressing dracunculiasis published in the last 50 years. Results: by development and optimization of multi-layered control measures, transmission by the vector has been interrupted, but there are foci in several African countries with a high risk of compromising the results obtained in the control of this neglected disease. Conclusion: this review features state-of-the-art data on the infection prevalence, geographical distribution, diagnostics, parasite–host interactions, and the pathology of dracunculiasis. Also described are the current state and future perspectives for vector control and elimination strategies.

PB - MDPI AG PY - 2022 EP - 366 T2 - Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease TI - Guinea Worm Disease: A Neglected Diseases on the Verge of Eradication UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/7/11/366/pdf?version=1668060544 VL - 7 SN - 2414-6366 ER -