19 - trichinosis/meat tapeworms

Question 1

(trichinosis)

1. What is the most common source of human infections in the US?

Answer 1

Ingestion of raw meat (mainly wild game)

Question 2

(trichinosis)

1. What are the common signs and phases of human clinical illness?

Answer 2

• Phase one (1-2 days after ingestion): abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, nausea
• Phase two (2-8 weeks): itching, fever, chills, edema of upper - eyelids (prominent sign)

Question 3

Why has there been a decline of trichinosis in swine and humans?

Answer 3

Improved biosecurity, required cooking of garbage fed to swine, inspection and condemnation of infected carcasses, improved screening and dx tests

Question 4

(trichinosis)

Be able to discuss precautions hunters should take to prevent zoonotic infections.

Answer 4

Thoroughly cook high-risk meat products (wild game and pork)

        Microwaving doesn’t kill larvae

Freezing pork (<6in thick) for 20d at 5F (doesn’t work for wild game)

wash hands after handling meat

Question 5

(meat tapeworms)

who is most at risk for infection?

Answer 5

Poor hygiene, exposure to livestock, travelling to shithole countries, eating undercooked meat

Hispanic immigrants or individuals who are infected by family members who have traveled abroad

Question 6

What is the role of humans in the life cycle of the meat-borne tapeworms?

Answer 6

T. saginata: definitive hosts
T. solium: definitive hosts

Question 7

(meat tapeworms)

What postmortem tissues are examined to identify possible infection? Be able to recommend control and prevention measures.

Answer 7

Tissues: musc of mastication, diaphragm, heart are prime larva locations

Control: id and eliminate human infections, don’t use untreated sewage sludge on farm pastures, cook meat,

Solium: inspect carcasses, dispose of human waste, complete cooking