Results of the follow-up of the former trichinosis patients from Brasov County – Romania

Abstract

The objective of the study was to monitor for a period of 2 years (at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 months) a group of former trichinellosis patients (n=699) registered in Braşov county before the initiation of the National Supervision and Control Programme for trichinellosis in humans. During the study, immediate complications up to 6 months from hospital release, and related complications occurring up to 24 months from hospital release were identified. Immediate complications were cardiovascular (31%), muscular (19%), neurological (18%), ophthalmic (17%), allergic (9%), respiratory (1%), and other (5%). Complications were more frequent in children from the studied group, even if the trichinellosis disease manifestation was mild or moderate. Complications were also more frequent in female as compared to male patients, and in urban areas as compared to rural environments. Paraclinical data showed eosinophilia in 8–22% of patients, GPT and GOT within normal limits, and hypoproteinemia in the case of 178 former patients (31%). Hypocalcaemia and hypomagnesaemia persisted in the case of 401 former patients (71%). Two months following illness, 53 (9.4%) of the former patients remained ill, and 26 of them had retired on medical grounds. Nine months following illness, 212 (37.8%) of the former patients reported fatigue, myalgia (especially in the inferior limbs), cardiovascular disorders, neurological, psychiatric, and allergic illnesses. After one year, 102 (18%) of the former patients reported improvements in asthenia, muscular pains, allergic reactions, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia, and angina pectoris crises. Trichinosis in humans cannot be considered only an acute disease that, once properly treated, etiologically, pathogenically, and symptomatically improves, but it can also become a chronic illness.