Trichinosis: epidemiology and diagnosis

Abstract

Human trichinosis is caused by the parasitic nematode Trichinella spiralis and is acquired by eating raw or inadequately cooked animal tissue containing encysted larvae. Since the U.S. Public Health Service began recording statistics on trichinosis in 1947, the number of cases in the United States has consistently declined. In the 1940s. an average of about 400 cases were reported each year, with 10 to 15 deaths. From 1982 to 1986, the numbers had declined to an average of 57 cases per year and less than one death (l-3). From 1987 to 1990, however, 206 cases of trichinosis were reported, with al least 14 multicase outbreaks (see Table 1). Although trichinosis is not nearly the medical concern that was in the past, the disease is not gone and should not be forgotten. Any public health or clinical laboratory may become involved in an outbreak.