Summary
Trichinosis is a cosmopolitan parasitosis caused by a nematode worm, Trichinella spiralis. After an initial phase with fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, facial edema and myalgia appear but heal spontaneously after a few weeks. Clinical aspects vary from asymptomatic forms to massive invasions that become life-threatening. Infection results from eating raw or under-cooked meat, usually pork, although the last French epidemics were due to horse meat. A combination of albendazole, anti-inflammatory steroid drugs, and supportive therapy are the usual treatment.*Author: Dr L. Paris (February 2005)*.
