Trichinosis with liver dysfunction, hypoalbuminemia, and thyhoid agglutinins.

Abstract

Trichinosis appears to be one of the commonest and most important parasitic diseases in this country.1Routine postmortem examination of diaphragms, using the improved technique of the peptic digest method, has revealed the presence of Trichinella spiralis cysts in about 37%.2Infestation with this roundworm is commonly the result of ingestion of partially cooked or raw pork containing the encysted larvae, and the disease is endemic wherever pork is eaten. The diagnosis of trichinosis is obvious in the presence of a history of pork ingestion, edema of the eyelids, muscle pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and respiratory symptoms. Eosinophilia is probably the most valuable laboratory diagnostic aid, although it may fluctuate widely.3The widespread dissemination of the larvae4accounts for the common confusion of trichinosis with acute respiratory infection, acute nephritis, rheumatism, various gastrointestinal disorders, undulant fever, and tuberculosis. A mistaken diagnosis of primary