Difference between revisions of "Trichinella"
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==Introduction== | ==Introduction== | ||
| − | ''Trichinella spiralis'' is a '''[[Helminths | helminth]] parasite''' of the ''[[Trichinelloidea]]'' superfamily. | + | [[File:Trichinella larvaeD.jpg|thumb|200px|right|''Trichinella'' in tissues. Sourced from Wikimedia commons.]] |
| − | It is unique among helminths as it is '''intracellular''' and requires '''only one host'''. | + | ''Trichinella spiralis'' is a '''[[Helminths |helminth]] parasite''' of the ''[[Trichinelloidea]]'' superfamily. It is unique among helminths as it is '''intracellular''' and requires '''only one host'''. |
Disease is most important in pigs and wild boar due to its '''zoonotic''' transmission through eating '''pork'''. Trichinellosis is a '''serious public health hazard'''. | Disease is most important in pigs and wild boar due to its '''zoonotic''' transmission through eating '''pork'''. Trichinellosis is a '''serious public health hazard'''. | ||
| − | The trichinae are widespread across all continents. | + | The trichinae are widespread across all continents. ''T. spiralis'' is found in temperate Europe, Asia, New Zealand, North and South America. |
| − | ''T. spiralis'' is found in temperate Europe, Asia, New Zealand, North and South America. | ||
This disease is '''notifiable''' to the World Organisation for Animal Health [http://www.oie.int/ (OIE)] | This disease is '''notifiable''' to the World Organisation for Animal Health [http://www.oie.int/ (OIE)] | ||
==Lifecycle== | ==Lifecycle== | ||
| − | The lifecycle of ''T. spiralis'' is direct. | + | The lifecycle of ''T. spiralis'' is direct. Larvae are ingested by the pig through scavenging or predation. '''Free range''' outdoor pigs are therefore at highest risk. [[Monogastric Stomach - Anatomy & Physiology |'''Gastric digestion''']] releases the larvae from the infected muscle tissue. |
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| − | Larvae are ingested by the pig through scavenging or predation. '''Free range''' outdoor pigs are therefore at highest risk. | ||
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| − | [[Monogastric Stomach - Anatomy & Physiology | '''Gastric digestion''']] releases the larvae from the infected muscle tissue. | ||
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They then undergo moults and '''copulate''' in the '''small intestine''' after which the males die and the '''females penetrate''' into the intestinal '''mucosa'''. | They then undergo moults and '''copulate''' in the '''small intestine''' after which the males die and the '''females penetrate''' into the intestinal '''mucosa'''. | ||
| − | The females then produce more '''larvae''' which can '''disseminate''' through the host in the blood and lymphatics, localising in the '''striated muscles'''. In pigs and wild boars, preferential sites appear to be the '''diaphragm, masseters and tongue.''' | + | The females then produce more '''larvae''' which can '''disseminate''' through the host in the blood and lymphatics, localising in the '''striated muscles'''. In pigs and wild boars, preferential sites appear to be the '''diaphragm, masseters and tongue.''' The muscle cells are transformed by the larvae within them, to form '''nurse cells''' which can supply '''nutrition''' and protects the larvae in a '''collagen capsule'''. Larvae can then survive in frozen and decaying carcasses forming an important route of transmission. |
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| − | The muscle cells are transformed by the larvae within them, to form '''nurse cells''' which can supply '''nutrition''' and protects the larvae in a '''collagen capsule'''. | ||
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| − | Larvae can then survive in frozen and decaying carcasses | ||
Humans are infected by eating '''raw or undercooked meat''' containing the infective larvae. | Humans are infected by eating '''raw or undercooked meat''' containing the infective larvae. | ||
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'''Direct microscopy''' of muscle samples between two glass plates can detect the organism. | '''Direct microscopy''' of muscle samples between two glass plates can detect the organism. | ||
| − | Digestion with '''pepsin-HCl''' | + | Digestion with '''pepsin-HCl''' or '''[[ELISA testing]]''' is also possible. |
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| − | '''[[ELISA testing]]''' is also | ||
==Diseases== | ==Diseases== | ||
Trichinellosis is usually '''subclinical in pigs''', forming muscular cysts. | Trichinellosis is usually '''subclinical in pigs''', forming muscular cysts. | ||
| − | Large burdens may cause '''enteritis''' followed by '''[[Parasitic Myositis | myositis]]''', fever and '''[[Myocarditis | myocarditis]]''' which can be fatal. | + | Large burdens may cause '''enteritis''' followed by '''[[Parasitic Myositis |myositis]]''', fever and '''[[Myocarditis |myocarditis]]''' which can be fatal. |
'''Human disease''' is serious and sometimes fatal, causing '''myositis, myocarditis, encephalitis and facial oedema.''' | '''Human disease''' is serious and sometimes fatal, causing '''myositis, myocarditis, encephalitis and facial oedema.''' | ||
==Control== | ==Control== | ||
| − | '''[[Anthelmintic Drugs]]''' can be used both as a treatment and control method for trichinellosis. | + | '''[[Anthelmintic Drugs|Anthelmintics]]''' can be used both as a treatment and control method for trichinellosis. Prevention of scavenging and feeding appropriate feedstuffs to pigs forms a major part in controlling the disease as well as meat inspection and destruction wherever trichinellosis is found. |
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{{Learning | {{Learning | ||
|flashcards = [[Trichinella Flashcards | ''Trichinella'' Flashcards]] | |flashcards = [[Trichinella Flashcards | ''Trichinella'' Flashcards]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
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Animal Health & Production Compendium, '''Trichinella datasheet''', accessed 08/06/2011 @ http://www.cabi.org/ahpc/ | Animal Health & Production Compendium, '''Trichinella datasheet''', accessed 08/06/2011 @ http://www.cabi.org/ahpc/ | ||
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| + | {{review}} | ||
[[Category:Trichinelloidea]] | [[Category:Trichinelloidea]] | ||
| − | [[Category:Pig_Nematodes]][[Category:Zoonoses]][[Category: | + | [[Category:Intestinal Diseases - Pig]][[Category:Musculoskeletal Diseases - Pig]] |
| + | [[Category:Pig_Nematodes]][[Category:Zoonoses]][[Category:CABI Expert Review]] | ||
Revision as of 13:24, 20 June 2011
Introduction
Trichinella spiralis is a helminth parasite of the Trichinelloidea superfamily. It is unique among helminths as it is intracellular and requires only one host.
Disease is most important in pigs and wild boar due to its zoonotic transmission through eating pork. Trichinellosis is a serious public health hazard.
The trichinae are widespread across all continents. T. spiralis is found in temperate Europe, Asia, New Zealand, North and South America.
This disease is notifiable to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)
Lifecycle
The lifecycle of T. spiralis is direct. Larvae are ingested by the pig through scavenging or predation. Free range outdoor pigs are therefore at highest risk. Gastric digestion releases the larvae from the infected muscle tissue. They then undergo moults and copulate in the small intestine after which the males die and the females penetrate into the intestinal mucosa.
The females then produce more larvae which can disseminate through the host in the blood and lymphatics, localising in the striated muscles. In pigs and wild boars, preferential sites appear to be the diaphragm, masseters and tongue. The muscle cells are transformed by the larvae within them, to form nurse cells which can supply nutrition and protects the larvae in a collagen capsule. Larvae can then survive in frozen and decaying carcasses forming an important route of transmission.
Humans are infected by eating raw or undercooked meat containing the infective larvae.
Pathogenesis
Damage is caused by penetrating female larvae in the small intestine and dissemination of larvae into the muscle masses. The degree of damage is dependent upon pathogen load.
Diagnosis
Direct microscopy of muscle samples between two glass plates can detect the organism.
Digestion with pepsin-HCl or ELISA testing is also possible.
Diseases
Trichinellosis is usually subclinical in pigs, forming muscular cysts.
Large burdens may cause enteritis followed by myositis, fever and myocarditis which can be fatal.
Human disease is serious and sometimes fatal, causing myositis, myocarditis, encephalitis and facial oedema.
Control
Anthelmintics can be used both as a treatment and control method for trichinellosis. Prevention of scavenging and feeding appropriate feedstuffs to pigs forms a major part in controlling the disease as well as meat inspection and destruction wherever trichinellosis is found.
| Trichinella Learning Resources | |
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 Test your knowledge using flashcard type questions |
Trichinella Flashcards |
References
Animal Health & Production Compendium, Trichinella datasheet, accessed 08/06/2011 @ http://www.cabi.org/ahpc/
 |
This article has been peer reviewed but is awaiting expert review. If you would like to help with this, please see more information about expert reviewing. |