Trichinellosis

Trichinae (Trichinellosis): Complications

The following are the most important diseases or complications that may be contributed to by trichinellosis (trichinosis): Respiratory system (J00-J99) Pneumonia (pneumonia) Endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases (E00-E90). Adrenal insufficiency (adrenal insufficiency). Cardiovascular system (I00-I99) Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle). Infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99). Sepsis (blood poisoning) Psyche – nervous system (F00-F99; G00-G99) … Trichinae (Trichinellosis): Complications

Trichinae (Trichinellosis): Examination

A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body temperature, body weight, body height; furthermore: Inspection (viewing). Skin, mucous membranes, and sclerae (white part of the eye) [due tosymptoms: Exanthema (skin rash), unspecified. Petechial (punctate) skin bleeding. Small skin bleeding under the nails … Trichinae (Trichinellosis): Examination

Trichinae (Trichinellosis): Test and Diagnosis

1st order laboratory parameters – obligatory laboratory tests. Small blood count Differential blood count [eosinophilia (> 500/µl): detectable in > 90% of patients with symptomatic trichinellosis already in the enteric phase, found in more than 50% of ill patients 2 to 4 weeks after infection] Inflammatory parameters – CRP (C-reactive protein). Fasting glucose (fasting blood … Trichinae (Trichinellosis): Test and Diagnosis

Trichinae (Trichinellosis): Drug Therapy

Therapeutic target Elimination of the pathogens Therapy recommendations Mild course: symptomatic therapy (analgesics/pain relievers, antiemetics/anti-nausea drugs, antitussives/cough suppressants, if necessary). Severe course with myocarditis (heart muscle inflammation)/myositis (muscle inflammation), fever: combination therapy of glucocorticoids and mebendazole (high dosage) or albendazole (benzimidazoles)Caution! Anthelmintics (drugs against worm diseases); uncertain efficacy against encystosed larvae. In case of relevant … Trichinae (Trichinellosis): Drug Therapy

Trichinae (Trichinellosis): Diagnostic Tests

Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics, and obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnostic clarification. Electrocardiogram (ECG; recording of the electrical activities of the heart muscle) [T-wave changes, low-voltage, conduction abnormalities, ST depression, or infarct-like images]. Echocardiography (echo; cardiac ultrasound) – when structural heart … Trichinae (Trichinellosis): Diagnostic Tests

Trichinae (Trichinellosis): Prevention

To prevent trichinellosis (trichinosis), attention must be paid to reducing individual risk factors. Behavioral risk factors Consumption of raw/insufficiently heated trichinella-infected meat. Prevention measures Meat inspection: in many countries, official trichinosis inspection (trichinosis inspection) is mandatory. This is under the supervision of the veterinary authorities with its approved methods and has long been proven as … Trichinae (Trichinellosis): Prevention

Trichinae (Trichinellosis): Medical History

Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of trichinellosis (trichinosis). Family history What is the general health status of your relatives? Social history What is your profession? Are you a hunter? Have you been abroad recently? Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints). What symptoms have you noticed? Do … Trichinae (Trichinellosis): Medical History

Trichinae (Trichinellosis): Or something else? Differential Diagnosis

Infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99). Acute schistosomiasis – worm disease (tropical infectious disease) caused by trematodes (sucking worms) of the genus Schistosoma (couch flukes). Strongyloidiasis – parasite of the small intestine of humans occurring in warm areas. Parasitoses, unspecified Musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99). Collagenoses (group of connective tissue diseases caused by autoimmune processes) … Trichinae (Trichinellosis): Or something else? Differential Diagnosis

Trichinae (Trichinellosis): Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

The following symptoms and complaints may indicate trichinellosis (trichinosis): Enteral phase (approximately day 2-7; may be absent). Abdominal discomfort (abdominal pain) Nausea (nausea) Diarrhea (diarrhea) Migration phase (1-3 weeks) Severe feeling of illness High fever, occurring intermittently Chills Facial swelling, especially around the eyelids (periorbital edema). Exanthema (rash), unspecified (urticarial or maculopapular exanthema). Petechial (punctate) … Trichinae (Trichinellosis): Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

Trichinae (Trichinellosis): Causes

Pathogenesis (development of disease) Trichinellosis is caused by the parasites Trichinella (nematodes – threadworms). The following species of Trichinella can be distinguished: Trichinella spiralis – the most common type. Trichinella nelsoni Trichinella nativa Trichinella bitovi Trichinella pseudospiralis Trichinella can infect all mammalian species, but in Europe it predominantly affects pigs. The transmission occurs through the … Trichinae (Trichinellosis): Causes

Trichinae (Trichinellosis): Therapy

General measures In mild courses, symptomatic therapy with bed rest, analgesics (pain-relieving drugs), and antipyretics (fever-reducing drugs) is sufficient.