trichinosis

TrichinosisBiology 1322:NutritionAmanda Friend : 

1 TrichinosisBiology 1322:NutritionAmanda Friend

Definition of Trichinosis: : 

2 Definition of Trichinosis: Trichinosis sometimes called trichinellosis, is a type of roundworm infection. Roundworms are parasites that use a host body to stay alive and reproduce. Trichinosis occurs primarily meat eating (carnivores), especially bears, foxes, and walruses. The infection is acquired by eating larvae in meat.

Continued Definition: : 

3 Continued Definition: When humans eat uncooked meat containing trichinella larvae, the larvae mature into adult worms in the intestine over several weeks. The adults then produce larvae that migrate through various tissues, including muscle. Trichinosis is most widespread in rural areas throughout the world.

Symptoms of Trichinosis: : 

4 Symptoms of Trichinosis: Abdominal symptoms can occur within two to seven days of infection. Other symptoms usually start one to eight weeks later. Severity of symptoms usually depends on the number of larvae consumed in the infected meat. Mild cases of trichinosis; those with only with a small number of parasites in your body; may cause no recognizable symptoms. Symptoms can develop with moderate or heavy infestation, sometimes progressing as the parasite migrates through the body.

Initial Signs and Symptoms: : 

5 Initial Signs and Symptoms: You swallow trichinella larvae in a cyst. Your digestive juices dissolve the cyst, releasing the parasite into your body. The larvae then penetrates the intestine, where they mature into adult worms and mate. At this stage, you may experience: Diarrhea Abdominal Cramps Malaise

Later Signs and Symptoms: : 

6 Later Signs and Symptoms: About a week after infection, the adult female worms produce larvae that penetrate the intestinal wall, that enter your bloodstream and eventually burrow into muscles or other tissue. This tissue invasion can cause: High Fever Muscle Pain and Tenderness Swelling of the Eyelids or Face Weakness Headache Sensitivity of Light Pink Eye

Causes of Trichinosis: : 

7 Causes of Trichinosis: Improper food preparation: When pork, bear, walrus, or other meat contaminated by grinders or other equipment. Rural areas: In the United States, higher rates of infection are found in hog raising regions. Consumption of wild or noncommercial meats: Public health measures have greatly decreased the incidence of trichinosis in commercial meats, but noncommercial, farm raised animals have higher rates of infection, particularly those with access to wild animal carcasses.

Complications: : 

8 Complications: In cases of heavy infestation, larvae can migrate to vital organs causing potentially dangerous complications, including: Myocarditis: inflammation of the myocardium. Encephalitis: an inflammation of your brain. Meningitis: inflammation of the membranes and CSF surrounding your brain and spinal cord. Bronchopneumonia: an inflammation of your lungs and bronchial tubes. Nephritis: an inflammation of your kidneys. Sinusitis: inflammation of the mucous membranes in sinuses. Pneumonia: inflammation of your lungs.

Diagnosis vs. Misdiagnosis: : 

9 Diagnosis vs. Misdiagnosis: Diagnosis Blood tests: An increase in the number of eosinophils, type of white blood cell, or the formation of antibodies against the parasite after several weeks. Muscle biopsy: A very small piece of muscle is removed and examined under a microscope to look for trichinella larvae. Misdiagnosis Chronic Digestive Conditions Intestinal Bacteria Disorder Antibiotics Often Cause Diarrhea Food Poisoning

Prevention of Trichinosis: : 

10 Prevention of Trichinosis: Avoid undercooked pork, walrus, horse, bear, or other wild animal meat: Be sure the meat is cooked to internal temperature to 170 degrees Fahrenheit throughout before eating it. Have wild animal meat frozen: Deep freezing for three weeks kills trichinella in some meats. However, trichinella in bear meat does not die by freezing, even over a long period. Other processing methods do not kill parasites: Other methods of meat processing or preserving, such as smoking or pickling, do not kill trichinella parasites in infected meat. Clean meat grinder thoroughly: If you grind your own meat, make sure the grinder is cleaned after each use.

Treatment and Drugs: : 

11 Treatment and Drugs: Anti-parasite medication: Anti-parasite medication is the first line of treatment against trichinosis. If trichinella parasite is discovered early, in the intestinal phase, can be effective in eliminating the intestinal worms and larvae. Pain relievers: Pain relievers may be given for muscle aches. Eventually, the larvae cysts in your muscles tend to calcify, resulting in destruction of the larvae and the end of muscle aches and fatigue. Corticosteroids: Some causes of trichinosis cause allergic reactions when the parasite enters muscle tissue or when dead or dying larvae releases chemicals in inflammation during larval migration.

Life Cycle of Trichinosis: : 

12 Life Cycle of Trichinosis:

References: : 

13 References: Pictures: Mayoclinic. April 16, 2010. URL- http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/medical/IM00786. MedicaLook. April 28, 2010. URL- www.medical-look.com/.../trichinosis.gif. Information: Mayo Clinic Staff. April 16, 2010. URL- http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/trichinosis/. Wrong Diagnosis. April 28, 2010. URL- http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/t/trichinosis/misdiag.htm Kathleen Park Talaro. Foundations in Microbiology Seventh Edition. Pg 405. April 28, 2010. Susan J. Hewlings and Denis M. Medeiros. Nutrition Real People Real Choices. Pg 367. April 28, 2010.