Trichinella spiralis

Trichinella spiralis is a nematode parasite, occurring in rats, pigs, bears, and humans, and is responsible for the disease trichinosis. It is sometimes referred to as the "pork worm" due to it being typically encountered in undercooked pork products.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of Trichinella spiralis involves an adult worm in the intestine of a definitive host and larvae in the muscle of the same host. The adult worms mate in the intestine, and the females produce larvae that migrate into the muscles, where they form cysts. When meat containing the cysts is eaten by another animal, the cysts are digested in the stomach, releasing the larvae, which migrate to the intestine, mature into adults, and repeat the life cycle.

Pathology

Infection with Trichinella spiralis can be asymptomatic, or it can be serious and cause death, depending on the number of larvae consumed. Symptoms can include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, fever, and abdominal discomfort. Later symptoms may include headache, fever, chills, cough, eye swelling, joint pain and muscle pain, petechiae, and itching.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is usually based on clinical symptoms and confirmed by serology or muscle biopsy.

Treatment

Treatment is with antihelminthic drugs, such as mebendazole or albendazole, and corticosteroids to reduce the inflammatory response.

Prevention

Prevention is primarily by properly cooking pork and wild game.

See also

• Trichinosis
• Nematode
• Parasitology

External links

• CDC - Trichinellosis
• WHO - Trichinellosis

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