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[Trichinellosis focus resulting from consumption of wild boar meat]
W Kociecka1, H Majchrowicz, M Szulc
1Klinika Chorób Pasozytniczych i Tropikalnych IMiChZ AM, Poznaniu.
Abstract:
The focus of trichinellosis was presented comprising 28 patients and resulting from consumption of the wild boar meat. Early confirmation of trichinellosis diagnosis in the first case (index case) and an accurate epidemiological analysis established that the patients became infected with Trichinella spiralis strain originating from natural environment. A severe clinical course was disclosed in the index case, moderate course of trichinellosis in 11 patients, a mild course in 15 cases and an abortive course in one patient. The most frequent trichinellosis symptoms included muscular pain (92.3% cases), fever above 38 degrees C (62.2% cases), conjunctivitis (53.3%), periorbital and facial oedema (42.9% cases); headaches and excessive sweating were less frequent (35.8%), while diarrhoea, hemorrhages to the fingernail beds and skin rush were noted in single cases only. No leukocytosis was detected in 15 patients (53.5%) and number of acidophilic granulocytes was normal in 8 patients (28.5%) including 5 patients with moderate course of the disease. Also, no full correlation was detected between severity of the clinical course and anti-Trichinella antibody titres. Increased activity of a muscular enzymes creatine kinase (CPK) could be detected in 27 patients and increased activity of lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) in 9 patients. The increase in muscle enzyme activity (CPK in particular) in some patients failed to correlate with the severity of the clinical course. In 10 patients parasitological and histological study of muscle tissue biopsies was performed to determine intensity of the invasion and the character of pathomorphological lesions.
Insights
This study investigated trichinellosis in 28 patients who consumed wild boar meat. Early diagnosis and analysis confirmed Trichinella spiralis infection, with varying clinical severity and frequent muscle pain and fever.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Trichinellosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Trichinella species.
- Consumption of undercooked meat, particularly wild game, is a primary transmission route.
Observation:
- A cluster of 28 trichinellosis cases linked to wild boar meat consumption was analyzed.
- Clinical presentations ranged from severe to abortive, with muscular pain, fever, and conjunctivitis being most common.
Findings:
- Early diagnosis and epidemiological investigation identified Trichinella spiralis from a natural environment.
- No consistent correlation was found between clinical severity, anti-Trichinella antibody titers, or elevated muscle enzyme levels (creatine kinase, lactic acid dehydrogenase).
- Muscle biopsies in 10 patients revealed invasion intensity and pathomorphological changes.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of early diagnosis and epidemiological analysis in managing trichinellosis outbreaks.
- Suggests that muscle enzyme levels and antibody titers may not always correlate with disease severity in trichinellosis.
- Emphasizes the need for thorough diagnostic approaches, including muscle biopsy, for assessing trichinellosis intensity.