Trichinella spiralis Flashcards
(13 cards)
What is the common name of Trichinella spiralis?
Muscle Worm or Trichina Worm
What makes Trichinella spiralis notable in parasitology?
It records the highest eosinophil count among parasitic infections.
What are the diagnostic and infective stages?
Diagnostic Stage: Encysted larva (detected through muscle biopsy)
Infective Stage: Encysted larva
How is Trichinella spiralis transmitted?
Through ingestion of raw or undercooked meat (usually pork) containing encysted larvae.
Where do the adult worms and larvae reside in humans?
Adult: Small intestine
Larva: Striated muscles
What is unique about its life cycle in humans?
Humans are accidental hosts—the life cycle doesn’t complete.
Larvae migrate to muscles, where they encyst and form granulomas.
There is no egg stage in this life cycle.
What animals are commonly involved in the life cycle of Trichinella spiralis?
Domestic cycle: pigs, rodents
Sylvatic cycle: bears, walruses, rats, wild animals
Humans (accidental hosts)
Where is this parasite most common?
Found worldwide, except tropical regions
Common in colder climates
Main source in developed areas: contaminated pork
What are the clinical symptoms of Trichinellosis?
Often asymptomatic
Mild infection (few hundred larvae): gastroenteritis, diarrhea, abdominal pain (~2 days post-ingestion)
Moderate infection (100–300 larvae): symptomatic trichinellosis
Severe infection (>1,000 larvae): serious disease
How is it diagnosed in the laboratory?
Clinical symptoms and patient history
Muscle biopsy to find encysted larvae
Immunologic tests:
Bentonite Flocculation Test
Bachmann Intradermal Test
Beck’s Xenodiagnosis (using albino mice/rats)
What serum markers may be elevated?
LDH (lactate dehydrogenase)
Aldolase
Creatinine phosphokinase (CPK)
What is the treatment for Trichinellosis?
No meds if infection is non-life-threatening
Severe cases:
Prednisone (anti-inflammatory)
Thiabendazole
Surgical removal of encysted muscle tissue (rare)
How can Trichinella spiralis infection be prevented?
Cook meat thoroughly
Store meat at below freezing temperatures
Avoid feeding raw pork scraps to hogs
