Trichenella Spiralis Flashcards
(4 cards)
A 36-year-old man presented with a two weeks history of fever and new onset intense myalgia after he had abdominal pain, fever, vomiting and diarrhea. He had no drug history and he was a non-smoker, he gave history of eating smoked pork meat with his friends in Mexico. On examination, his temperature 38.5°C, heart rate 110 beats/min, his respiratory rate was 26 and his oxygen saturation is 93% on room air. He had periorbital edema.
conjunctivitis respiratory distress with bilateral basal crackles and peripheral edema.
a) What is the diagnosis of this case?
Trichenella spiralis
b) What are the clues that confirm the diagnosis?
Dietary history:
Consumption of smoked pork in Mexico, a common risk factor for Trichinella infection.
2. Prodromal gastrointestinal symptoms:
Initial abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, which are common early signs after ingesting the larvae.
3. Systemic symptoms:
*Fever and myalgia, especially intense muscle pain (due to larval migration into muscles).
*Periorbital edema, a hallmark sign of trichinellosis.
*Conjunctivitis — also associated with the infection.
*Respiratory symptoms and basal crackles — may indicate systemic inflammation or myocarditis/pulmonary involvement.
4. Peripheral edema and tachycardia — possible signs of myocarditis or systemic inflammatio
c) What is the treatment of this case?
- Antiparasitic therapy:
Albendazole (400 mg twice daily for 8–14 days) or mebendazole.
Most effective if started early, before muscle invasion.
2. Corticosteroids:
Prednisone (30–60 mg/day) for severe systemic or allergic symptoms (e.g., myositis, myocarditis, encephalitis).
Help reduce inflammation from larval migration.
3. Supportive care:
Antipyretics and analgesics for fever and pain.
4-Monitor for complications like myocarditis, meningoencephalitis, or respiratory compromise.
طب بالمرة بقي
Diseases caused by pork meat
Trichenella
Tenia solium
Salmonella
Cambylobacter
Listeria
