Epidemiological research on trichinellosis in Apulia and Basilicata (southern Italy)

Trichinellosis is a zoonotic infection and has a worldwide distribution. In Italy numerous sporadic cases and outbreaks of human trichinellosis have been reported. The authors report an epidemiological survey of trichinellosis in Apulia and Basilicata, two regions of southern Italy, where two outbreaks of human trichinellosi (about one hundred cases) have recently occurred, due to ingestion of wild boar meat (sausages). Serological and/or parasitological research was carried out in the trichinellosis patients, in uninfected people (control group), and in wild and synantropic animals. The incidence of infection found in various animal species (sylvatic trichinellosis) in these two regions is high and can represent a serious health risk.