Trichinella spiralis: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 14:26, 22 December 2023

Background

Also known as the pork worm, not to be confused with pork tapeworm (Taenia solium)

Life Cycle

Can complete its life cycle in a human, pig, boar, bear, walrus, fox, and other animals
Life cycle involves ingestion of meat with cysts, which develop into adult worms, which release eggs, which invade through gut mucosa and migrate to muscle, where it becomes a muscle cyst

Epidemiology

Acquired in humans by ingestion of undercooked meat
Present in carnivores and omnivores worldwide
Commercial pork is the most common source of infection in humans, but can also be acquired from a number or wild game meats

Clinical Manifestations

Spectrum of illness from asymptomatic (most common) to fulminant infection
Incubation period less than 1 month
After ingestion of contaminated meat:
- Within first week, may experience abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- After another 2 to 8 weeks, may have fever, myalgia, periorbital edema, urticarial rash, conjunctival hemorrhage, and subungual hemorrhage, related to migration of larvae into tissues
- In severe disease, after 1 to 2 months, can develop myocarditis, neurological symptoms, and pneumonitis
- Can cause an eosinophilic myositis
Often has eosinophilia during migratory phase (70%)
Larvae are viable in tissues to years, with calcification usually occurring between 6 and 24 months

Diagnosis

Usually made clinically based on exposure history, eosinophilia, and symptoms
Serology exists, and can be used as paired acute and convalescent titres
- Positive after 2 to 3 weeks, and can stay positive for years
- Cross-reacts with other nematodes (and sometimes with other helminths)

Management

Treated by albendazole or mebendazole

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+==Background==
-* Pork tapeworm
-* Can complete its life cycle in a human, pig, boar, bear, walrus, fox, and other animals
+*Also known as the '''pork worm''', not to be confused with pork tapeworm ([[Taenia solium]])
-* Life cycle involves ingestion of meat with cysts, which develop into adult worms, which release eggs, which invade through gut mucosa and migrate to muscle, where it becomes a muscle cyst
+===Life Cycle===
+*Can complete its life cycle in a human, pig, boar, bear, walrus, fox, and other animals
+*Life cycle involves ingestion of meat with cysts, which develop into adult worms, which release eggs, which invade through gut mucosa and migrate to muscle, where it becomes a muscle cyst
+===Epidemiology===
+*Acquired in humans by ingestion of undercooked meat
+*Present in carnivores and omnivores worldwide
+*Commercial pork is the most common source of infection in humans, but can also be acquired from a number or wild game meats
+==Clinical Manifestations==
+*Spectrum of illness from asymptomatic (most common) to fulminant infection
+*Incubation period [[Usual incubation period::less than 1 month]]
+*After ingestion of contaminated meat:
+**Within first week, may experience abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
+**After another 2 to 8 weeks, may have fever, myalgia, periorbital edema, urticarial rash, conjunctival hemorrhage, and subungual hemorrhage, related to migration of larvae into tissues
+**In severe disease, after  1 to 2 months, can develop [[myocarditis]], neurological symptoms, and [[pneumonitis]]
+**Can cause an [[Causes::eosinophilic myositis]]
+*Often has eosinophilia during migratory phase (70%)
+*Larvae are viable in tissues to years, with calcification usually occurring between 6 and 24 months
+==Diagnosis==
+*Usually made clinically based on exposure history, eosinophilia, and symptoms
+*Serology exists, and can be used as paired acute and convalescent titres
+**Positive after 2 to 3 weeks, and can stay positive for years
+**Cross-reacts with other nematodes (and sometimes with other helminths)
+==Management==
+*Treated by [[Is treated by::albendazole]] or [[Is treated by::mebendazole]]
 {{DISPLAYTITLE:''Trichinella spiralis''}}