trichinosis (redirected from trichiniasis)

trichinosis (trĭk'ĭnō`sĭs) or trichiniasis (trĭk'ĭnī`əsĭs), parasitic disease caused by the roundworm Trichinella spiralis. It follows the eating of raw or inadequately cooked meat, especially pork. The larvae are released, reach maturity, and mate in the intestines, the females producing live larvae. The parasites are then carried from the gastrointestinal tract by the bloodstream to various muscles, where they become encysted. It is estimated that 10% to 20% of the adult population of the United States suffers from trichinosis at some time. In many people the disease exhibits no symptoms and is discovered only at autopsy. In others it causes diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms as the worms multiply in the digestive tract. When the larvae circulate through the bloodstream, the patient experiences edema, irregular fever, profuse sweating, muscle soreness and pain, and prostration. There may be involvement of the central nervous system, heart, and lungs; death occurs in about 5% of clinical cases. Once the larvae have imbedded themselves in the muscle tissue, the cysts usually become calcified; however, the infestation usually causes no further symptoms except fatigue and vague muscular pains. There is no specific treatment.

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trichinosis

Disorder caused by the roundworm trichina, commonly acquired from undercooked infested pork. Larval worms invade the small intestine, maturing within a week. Fertilized females deposit new larvae, which are carried by the blood, notably to the muscles (most often the diaphragm, eyes, throat, and tongue), where they encapsulate and may remain alive for years. Though trichinosis usually eventually subsides, it may be fatal if the heart and brain are involved. Few infected persons have sufficient parasites to produce symptoms (including diarrhea, nausea, and fever, followed by pain, stiffness, and swelling of various muscular structures). Anti-inflammatory drugs can relieve symptoms; thiabendazole may effectively destroy parasites in the intestine. There is no practical way to detect trichinous pork; the surest safeguard remains thorough cooking.