Human trichinosis: studies on eleven cases affecting two families in Nova Scotia

A two-family outbreak of 11 cases of trichinosis with one fatality has been described. Efforts were made to obtain an early assessment of the severity of parasitization on the basis of initial clinical appearance, serial electrocardiograms, changes in eosinophil count, serum protein analyses and SGOT levels. The diagnoses were confirmed by muscle biopsy and by Suessenguth-Kline flocculation tests on serum. Factors portending a severe illness included: (a) rapid decline in total eosinophil count, (b) very low levels of serum albumin, (c) elevation of alpha(1)- and alpha(2)-fractions of serum proteins. A review of current serological methods available for the diagnosis of trichinosis has been presented and emphasis has been placed on the importance of interpreting laboratory tests in conjunction with clinical signs and symptoms. The severity and duration of illness in these cases have shown the importance of enforcing present public health regulations designed to prevent this illness being acquired by humans through consumption of infected pork.