Further observations on the first documented outbreak of trichinosis in Hong Kong

The first documented report of human trichinosis in Hong Kong is described comprising an outbreak amongst 20 Gurkha soldiers following a barbecue. The cardinal clinical features were fever, myalgia and facial oedema and the most useful laboratory tests were eosinophilia and elevated levels of creatinine phosphokinase. Gastrointestinal symptoms were uncommon. Seven patients who developed electrocardiographic abnormalities are the subject of an ongoing study. Four patients had psychiatric manifestations. Splinter haemorrhages, hypocalcaemia and evidence of renal dysfunction were absent. The parasite was recovered from 13 of patients and the diagnosis confirmed serologically in all. The value of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for IgM and IgE antibodies is emphasized in that it is 100% specific and sensitive. Thiabendazole alone was used in treatment and all patients recovered.