A Probable Case of Human Neurotrichinellosis in the United States

Abstract

Human neurotrichinellosis is seldom reported. This is likely the result of the low incidence of parasites from the genus Trichinella in the United States domestic food supply, as well as difficulties in diagnosing the disease, especially when neither the organism nor the source of the infection are readily available. Although trichinellosis from domestic food supplies has been decreasing for many years, a resurgence has occurred in cases derived from the consumption of wild game. We report a rare case of neurotrichinellosis in the United States and implicate wild game as the source of the infection. These results suggest that clinicians should consider the potential for Trichinella infection in cases where wild game is common in the diets of the patients.