Dracunculus medinensis

Dracunculus medinensis is a nematode endoparasite, inhabiting the sub-cutaneous tissues of man, dog, cat and fur bearing wild animals. In man it occupies especially the body parts like the legs, arms and back. The parasite causes a disease called dracunculosis  (dracunculiasis or dracontiasis). D. medinensis are commonly known as Guinea worm or serpent worm or Dragon worm or Medina worm .

Characteristics
Shape and Size
female is 800 mm (31 in) in length male is 40mm in length.
Genome Information
D_medinensis_Ghana, total length (Mb): 103.751
Food Source
Ingestion of contaminated drinking water.
Pathological Factor
In the stomach of the man, cyclopses are digested by the effect of the gastric juice and the larvae of D. medinensis are liberated and undergo the final moult. Now the larvae penetrate the gut wall of the man and enter into the retroperitoneal connective tissues where they grow and become sexually mature in about 8 to 12 months to repeat the life cycle.. The adult females during the process of liberation of embryos also, secretes toxin  which causes allergic symptoms.
Disease
Guinea Worm Disease.
Symptoms
Slight fever, Itchy rash, Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Dizziness
Affected Body Organs
subcutaneous tissues, muscle

Classification
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Nematoda
Class Secernentea
Order Camallanida
Superfamily Dracunculoidea
Family Dracunculidae
Genus Dracunculus
Species D. Medinensis