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Trichinellosis

Last reviewed: 21 Oct 2024
Last updated: 27 Jul 2022

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • consumption of raw or undercooked meat
  • sick contacts
  • myalgia and myositis
  • fever
  • periorbital/facial edema
  • conjunctivitis and subconjunctival hemorrhages
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • subungual and retinal splinter hemorrhages
  • other ocular features
  • gastrointestinal signs and symptoms
  • hepatomegaly
  • oliguria
  • maculopapular rash
  • other cutaneous features
  • dysphagia
  • dysphonia
  • dyspnea
  • headache
  • paralysis-like state
  • other neurologic features
Full details

Risk factors

  • consumption of raw or undercooked pork
  • consumption of raw or undercooked horse or other domestic animal meat
  • consumption of raw or undercooked wild game meat
  • consumption of raw or undercooked reptile meat
Full details

Diagnostic tests

1st tests to order

  • CBC with differential
  • creatine kinase and other muscle enzymes
  • serum potassium
  • serum albumin
  • serum IgE
Full details

Tests to consider

  • antibody serology
  • muscle biopsy
  • electromyography
  • urinalysis
  • serum creatinine and creatinine clearance
  • serum aminotransferases
  • MRI or CT brain
  • EEG
  • cerebrospinal fluid analysis
  • ECG
  • serum troponin
  • Two-dimensional echocardiography
Full details

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

nonpregnant adults

pregnant

children

Contributors

Authors

Miguel G. Madariaga, MD, MSc, FACP
Miguel G. Madariaga

Infectious Diseases Consultant

Naples Community Hospital

Naples

FL

Disclosures

MGM declares that he has no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Fabrizio Bruschi, MD

Professor of Parasitology

Department of Experimental Pathology BMIE

Faculty of Medicine and Surgery

University of Pisa

Pisa

Italy

Disclosures

FB is an author of a number of references cited in this topic.

Jean Dupouy-Camet, MD, PhD

Chef du Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie

Hôpital Cochin

Paris

France

Disclosures

JDC is an author of a number of references cited in this topic. JDC declares that he has no competing interests.

Christopher D. Huston, MD

Associate Professor

Division of Infectious Diseases

Department of Medicine

University of Vermont College of Medicine

Burlington

VT

Disclosures

CDH declares that he has no competing interests.

  • Trichinellosis images
  • Differentials

    • Bacterial gastroenteritis
    • Respiratory or gastrointestinal viral infections
    • Glomerulonephritis
    More Differentials
  • Guidelines

    • International Commission on Trichinellosis: recommendations on the use of serological tests for the detection of
    • FAO/WHO/OIE guidelines for the surveillance, management, prevention and control of trichinellosis
    More Guidelines
  • Patient information

    Diarrhea in adults

    Diarrhea in children

    More Patient information
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