Trichinosis

This article is about the disease. For the parasite, see Trichinella.
Not to be confused with Trichomoniasis or Trichuriasis.
Trichinosis
Other namesTrichinellosis, trichiniasis
Trichinella larvae in pressed bear meat, partially digested with pepsin. The classic coil shape is visible.
SpecialtyInfectious disease
SymptomsInitially: diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting[1]
Later: swelling of the face, inflammation of the whites of the eyes, fever, muscle pains, rash[1]
ComplicationsInflammation of heart muscle, inflammation of the lungs[1]
CausesTrichinella from eating undercooked meat[1]
Diagnostic methodAntibodies in the blood, larvae on tissue biopsy[1]
Differential diagnosisMeasles, dermatomyositis, gastroenteritis[2]
PreventionFully cooking meat[3]
MedicationAlbendazole, mebendazole[4]
PrognosisLow risk of death[5]
Frequency~10,000 cases a year[6]

Trichinosis, also known as trichinellosis, is a parasitic disease caused by roundworms of the Trichinella genus.[1] During the initial infection, invasion of the intestines can result in diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting.[1] Migration of larvae to muscle, which occurs about a week after being infected, can cause swelling of the face, inflammation of the whites of the eyes, fever, muscle pains, and a rash.[1] Minor infection may be without symptoms.[1] Complications may include inflammation of heart muscle, central nervous system involvement, and inflammation of the lungs.[1]

Trichinosis is mainly spread when undercooked meat containing Trichinella cysts is eaten.[1] Wild meat is more likely to contain the parasite.[7][8] In North America this is most often bear, but infection can also occur from pork, boar, and dog meat.[9] Several species of Trichinella can cause disease, with T. spiralis being the most common.[1] After the infected meat has been eaten, the larvae are released from their cysts in the stomach.[1] They then invade the wall of the small intestine, where they develop into adult worms.[1] After one week, the females release new larvae that migrate to voluntarily controlled muscles, where they form cysts.[1] The diagnosis is usually based on symptoms and confirmed by finding specific antibodies in the blood, or larvae on tissue biopsy.[1]

The best way to prevent trichinosis is to fully cook meat.[3] A food thermometer can verify that the temperature inside the meat is high enough.[3] Infection is typically treated with antiparasitic medication such as albendazole or mebendazole.[4] Rapid treatment may kill adult worms and thereby stop further worsening of symptoms.[4] Both medications are considered safe but have been associated with side effects such as bone marrow suppression.[4] Their use during pregnancy or in children under the age of 2 years is poorly studied but appears to be safe.[4] Treatment with steroids is sometimes also required in severe cases.[4] Without treatment, symptoms typically resolve within three months.[5]

Worldwide, about 10,000 infections occur a year.[6] At least 55 countries including the United States, China, Argentina, and Russia have had recently documented cases.[5] While the disease occurs in the tropics, it is less common there.[5] Rates of trichinosis in the United States have decreased from about 400 cases per year in the 1940s to 20 or fewer per year in the 2000s.[6][10] The risk of death from infection is low.[5]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "CDC – DPDx – Trichinellosis – index". www.cdc.gov. Archived from the original on 2015-07-04. Retrieved 2015-07-19.
  2. ^ Ferri FF (2010). "Chapter T". Ferri's differential diagnosis : a practical guide to the differential diagnosis of symptoms, signs, and clinical disorders (2nd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Mosby. ISBN 978-0323076999.
  3. ^ a b c "CDC – Trichinellosis – Prevention & Control". www.cdc.gov. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "CDC – DPDx – Trichinellosis – Treatment Information". www.cdc.gov. Archived from the original on 2015-08-22. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  5. ^ a b c d e Farrar J (2013). Manson's tropical diseases (23 ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders [Imprint]. pp. 791–94. ISBN 978-0-7020-5101-2.
  6. ^ a b c "Trichinellosis Fact Sheet – Division of Parasitic Diseases". Centre for Disease Control, US Government. August 2012. Archived from the original on 2016-05-22. Retrieved 2016-06-05. During 2008–2010, 20 cases were reported to CDC each year on average.
  7. ^ Gottstein B, Pozio E, Nöckler K (2009). "Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Control of Trichinellosis". Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 22 (1): 127–145. doi:10.1128/CMR.00026-08. PMC 2620635. PMID 19136437.
  8. ^ "Trichinosis Fact Sheet". www.health.ny.gov. Retrieved 2025-01-17.
  9. ^ Cook GC, Zumla A (2009). Manson's Tropical Diseases. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 325. ISBN 978-1416044703.
  10. ^ "Trichinellosis Epidemiology & Risk Factor". Archived from the original on 2010-12-20. Retrieved 2020-03-06. During 2002–2007, 11 cases were reported to CDC each year on average.
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