Bryant Roberts Microbiology Dr.

Lema August 27, 2010 Name: Trichinella Spiralis Microorganism: nematode parasite Gramstein: N/A Morphology: spiral shaped. Males between 1.4mm and 1.6mm long. Habitat: Humans, pigs, and other mammals. Generally found in small intestine. In the human digestive tract, the larvae are freed from the cysts. Maturation and sexual reproduction occurs in the small intestine. Disease/symptoms: Diagnosis of trichinellosis is made by microscopic examination for larvae in a muscle biopsy. Symptoms usually appear 12 to 48 hours after ingestion of infected meat. Initial reactions include fever, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. Five to seven days facial edema may occur.After 10 days intense muscular pain, difficulty breathing, weakening of pulse and blood pressure, heart damage and various nervous disorders may occur, eventually leading to death due to heart failure, respiratory complications or kidney malfunction Mode of transmission: Usually acquired by eating encysted larvae in poorly cooked pork. In the US, most people acquire it from eating wild game such as bear. Treatment: Typically patients are treated with either Mebendazole or Albendazole but efficacy of such products is uncertain. Symptoms can be relieved by use of analgesics and corticosteroids. Prevention: Thoroughly cook at pork products before consumption. Interesting points: From 1997 to 2001, an average of 12 cases were reported annually in the United States with no deaths. Swine Health Protection Act helped to control food stock used for commercial swine production. Sources: Microbiology, An Introduction.