Trichinella spiralis Flashcards

Classification

• Belongs to the kingdom Animalia and phylum Nematoda.
• Commonly known as a roundworm.

Morphology/Structure

• Structure details not provided, additional research needed for specifics.

Key Players

• Intermediate Hosts (IH): Includes pigs, bears, warthogs, and rodents.
• Definitive Host (DH): Humans, who acquire the infection through consumption of infected meat.

Life Cycle

• Trichinellosis is contracted by ingesting meat that contains encysted larvae.
• In the small intestine, gastric acid and pepsin trigger the release of larvae.
• Larvae invade the small bowel mucosa and develop into adult worms.
• Adult females liberate new larvae, which then migrate to striated muscle tissues to encyst.
• Two cycles:
  • Domestic cycle involves meat scraps or cannibalism among pork and rodents.
  • Sylvatic cycle involves predation or scavenging by bears, rodents, and warthogs.

Disease

• Trichinellosis characterized by adult worms in the intestine and migration of larvae to unusual sites, including the brain.
• This process can lead to central nervous system (CNS) damage.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis relies heavily on serological methods, particularly immunological assays like ELISA.
• Patient history is crucial for accurate diagnosis.

Treatment

• Primary treatment options include Albendazole and Mebendazole, antiparasitic medications.

Transmission

• The primary method of transmission is oral, typically through consumption of undercooked or infected meat.

Prevention + Control

• Thorough cooking of meat is essential to prevent infection.

Epidemiology

• Infection is common in regions with high pork consumption.
• Observed in rural areas where consuming bear meat is part of the local diet.