Human infection with an unknown species of Dracunculus in Vietnam

Guinea worm (GW) disease, caused by Dracunculus medinensis, is an almost eradicated waterborne zoonotic disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) currently lists GW as endemic in only five African countries. In July 2020, the Vietnamese public health surveillance system detected a hanging 23-year-old male patient, who did not report any travel to Africa or country previously for GW. patient was hospitalized with symptoms of fatigue, anorexia, muscle aches, and abscesses, worms out skin lower limbs. were retrieved from lesions microscopically examined Vietnam, identifying structures compatible spp. L1-type larvae. A section this parasite sent Centers Disease Control Prevention (CDC) Atlanta, United States, confirmatory diagnosis adult had cuticle parasites, although length L1 larvae about 339 μm, substantially shorter than D. medinensis. DNA sequence analysis 18S small subunit rRNA gene confirmed that GW, determined sample belonged sp. reported GenBank clustered animal-infective insignis lutrae, located different clade This study highlights importance effective systems collaborative work local authorities Vietnam WHO CDC efforts achieve eradication