Trichinella spiralis: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:02, 3 November 2020

Background

Also known as the pork tapeworm

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 at least 3 weeks, and stays positive for years

Management

Treated by albendazole or mebendazole

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+== Background ==
-*Pork tapeworm
+*Also known as the '''pork tapeworm'''
+=== 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
-*Can cause an [[Causes::eosinophilic myositis]]
+*Commercial pork is the most common source of infection in humans, but can also be acquired from a number or wild game meats
-*Treated by [[Is treated by::albendazole]]
+== 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 at least 3 weeks, and stays positive for years
+== Management ==
+*Treated by [[Is treated by::albendazole]] or [[Is treated by::mebendazole]]
 {{DISPLAYTITLE:''Trichinella spiralis''}}