Cardiac involvement in trichinellosis: a case of left ventricular thrombosis

We report the case of a 42-year-old woman who was admitted to the hospital for fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, myalgia, and general muscle weakness. All these symptoms had occurred 3 weeks after the ingestion of inadequately cooked pork meat, subsequently confirmed to be infested with Trichinella spiralis. Laboratory results showed mild leukocytosis, inflammation, and mild liver and muscle cytolytic syndrome, all suggestive of trichinellosis. Echocardiography showed apical hypokinesis and an apical mass (likely a thrombus). The immunologic assessment for the presence of Trichinella antigens was positive. The outcome was favorable after treatment with an anticoagulant, an antiaggregant, prednisone, and mebendazole. Follow-up controls showed the absence of any symptoms and thrombus, with only mild electrocardiogram modifications still present.