Related articles: Trichinosis
Definition
Trichinosis is a disease caused by cylindrical worms (nematodes) belonging to the genus Trichinella .
These parasites are localized in the intestine, penetrating into the mucosa to give rise to a new generation of larvae. These become adult in about 6-8 days and migrate through the circulatory stream into the skeletal striated muscles, where they encyst and remain vital for many years as intracellular parasites.
Trichinosis has a universal spread. The life cycle of the parasite is maintained by mammals, birds and reptiles, carnivores and omnivores (such as pigs, foxes, bears and wild boar), which feed on other animals (whose striated muscles contain infested larvae).
The transmission to humans takes place through the consumption of raw or undercooked meat (mainly swine or equine) containing the larvae of the parasite. Instead, trichinosis is not transmitted from person to person.
Most common symptoms and signs *
- Arrhythmia
- Asthenia
- Cachexia
- Convulsions
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea
- Dyspnoea
- Abdominal pain
- Ocular pain
- Muscle pains
- Eosinophilia
- Temperature
- Fotofobia
- Eyelid swelling
- weakness
- Headache
- Meningitis
- Eyes reddened
- Weight loss
- petechiae
- Confusional state
- Sweating
- He retched
Further indications
Many cases of trichinosis are asymptomatic or show mild symptoms, but there are also particularly serious clinical forms. The incubation period is generally 8-15 days, but can vary from 5 to 45 days depending on the number of parasitic cysts ingested.
During the first week, trichinosis can occur with diarrhea, nausea and abdominal cramps caused by the initial gastro-intestinal irritation). Subsequently, when the larvae that are released from the ingested cysts circulate, a systemic symptomatology appears: muscular pains, weakness, sweating, swelling of the face, headache, edema of the upper eyelids, sub-conjunctival hemorrhage and petechiae. Eye pain and photophobia often precede myalgia. Fever is generally remittent: it reaches 39 ° C and remains elevated for several days, therefore it gradually reduces.
Symptoms due to muscle invasion can simulate polymyositis. Pain can occur in the muscles of breathing, chewing and swallowing. Severe dyspnea may appear in massive infestations.
The symptoms resolve gradually and, in most cases, disappear after about three months, when the larvae are completely encysted in the muscle cells and have been eliminated by other organs and tissues. In severe forms, however, trichinosis can cause cardiac complications (myocarditis and arrhythmias), neurological (encephalitis and meningitis) or pulmonary (pneumonia and pleuritis). Myocarditis or encephalitis can cause patients to die.
The diagnosis is suggested by the presence of marked eosinophilia, leukocytosis and increased creatine phosphokinase (CPK). Confirmation occurs by identifying the larvae in muscle biopsies and on the basis of serological reactions.
The therapy involves the use of mebendazole or albendazole, to eliminate adult worms from the gastro-intestinal tract, and analgesics to relieve muscle pain. For allergic manifestations or for myocardial or neurological involvement, the doctor may indicate the administration of prednisone.
Trichinosis can be prevented by carefully cooking the meat (the color must turn from pink to brown) or freeze it before consumption (-17 ° C for 3 weeks or -30 ° C for 6 days). On the other hand, salting and smoking do not ensure the killing of the parasite.
