Trichinellosis

Trichinellosis (also known as trichinosis or trichiniasis) is an infectious disease caused by parasitic roundworms of the genus Trichinella, most commonly Trichinella spiralis. It is not a genetic disorder but rather a zoonotic parasitic infection acquired by consuming raw or undercooked meat (particularly pork, wild boar, or game meat) containing encysted Trichinella larvae. The disease affects multiple body systems in a staged progression. In the initial intestinal phase (first 1–2 weeks after ingestion), larvae mature in the small intestine, causing gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. During the subsequent larval migration phase, newborn larvae penetrate the intestinal wall and disseminate through the bloodstream to striated muscle tissue, triggering a systemic inflammatory response. This phase is characterized by high fever, periorbital and facial edema, myalgia (muscle pain), muscle weakness, skin rashes, and marked eosinophilia. In severe cases, the disease can affect the heart (myocarditis), central nervous system (encephalitis), and lungs (pneumonitis), which can be life-threatening. Treatment includes antiparasitic medications such as albendazole or mebendazole, which are most effective when administered early in the intestinal phase to kill adult worms and prevent larval dissemination. Corticosteroids may be used in severe cases to reduce inflammation, particularly when cardiac or neurological involvement is present. Once larvae have encysted in muscle tissue, antiparasitic treatment is less effective, and symptoms may persist for months. Prevention through proper cooking of meat to an internal temperature sufficient to kill larvae remains the most important public health measure. Outbreaks still occur worldwide, particularly in regions where consumption of raw or undercooked wild game is common.

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