[Involvement of the nervous system in trichinosis (author's transl)]

Since the introduction of the obligatory inspection of meat, trichinosis has become a very rare disease in Germany. Nevertheless, the possible occurrence of sporadical epidemies and isolated cases of trichinosis has to be kept in mind. During the last 30 years about 1300 cases of human trichinosis have been reported in Germany. The involvement of the central nervous system ranges from 6-24%; the symptoms may be caused by meningeal inflammation or/and a focal or generalized encephalitis. Myelitis is a very rare finding, some patients develop signs of peripheral neuropathy. During the acute stage pareses may be caused as well by myositis as by peripheral neuropathy. Various serological tests allow to confirm the diagnosis of trichinosis, but muscle biopsy is still the most informative piece of evidence leading to the diagnosis of trichinosis. Tiabendazole (trade name in Germany: Minzolum) is at present the drug of choice in the treatment of trichinosis; in addition good results have been found by corticosteroid therapy. Although most cases have a good prognosis, chronic sequelae may occur (for instance "rheumatic" pains in the muscles, loss of reflexes, convulsions and psychiatric distrubances).