A tongue biopsy technique for the detection of trichinosis in swine

A tongue biopsy technique developed for the detection of Trichinella spiralis infection in swine involves taking a deep core biopsy of the tongue musculature, and examination of the sample by digestion. Using this procedure, 31 of 52 (60%) swine from an Indiana herd were found to be infected with T. spiralis. The average biopsy weighed 0.42 g, and the intensity of infection averaged 180 larvae per gram (range 2-1157). The biopsy was quick and easy to perform and the tongues healed well following the procedure. This technique may have applicability for Trichinella detection in epidemiological, control and research studies on swine and other animals.