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Trichinella spiralis

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

  • this is the commonest parasitic infection of muscle
  • the pathogen is nematode called Trichinella spiralis
  • infection is usually from undercooked pork or horse meat
  • larvae penetrate the small intestine and spread systemically
  • there is myalgia, tenderness and often weakness
  • periorbital and conjunctival oedema are common; subconjunctival haemorrhages may occur
  • there may be a skin rash and splinter haemorrhages
  • a blood count may show an eosinophilia and a muscle biopsy demonstrates parasites in various stages of development

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