Trichinosis is a parasitic disease caused by round worms trichinella spiralis .Trichinosis is mainly caused by eating undercooked meat ,Pork products are implicated more often than other meats . The severity of symptoms usually depend on the number of larvae consumed in the infected meat .,infection may occur without symptoms (in mild infestation) .,while intestinal invasion can cause dirrhea ,abdominal pain or vomiting . Larval migration into muscle tissue (one week after being infected ) can cause edema of the face or around the eyes ,conjunctivitis ,fever muscle pains ,splinter hemorrhages ,rashes and peripheral eoisinophilia . Life threatening cases can result in myocarditis ,CNS involvement and pneumonitis . Larval encystement in the muscles causes pain and weakness.
Diagnosis : from the history of eating uncooked pork , from the clinical picture and investigations : C.B.C.: Eosinophilia - Elevated creatine kinase (CK) level in muscle involvement - Muscle biopsy
Treatment
Prompt treatment with antiparasitic drugs can help prevent the progression of trichinellosis by killing the adult worms and so preventing further release of larvae. Once the larvae have become established in skeletal muscle cells, usually by 3 to 4 weeks post infection, treatment may not completely eliminate the infection and associated symptoms. Treatment with either mebendazole or albendazole is recommended.
Albendazole and mebendazole are not approved for use in pregnant women or children under the age of 2 years. In addition to antiparasitic medication, treatment with steroids is sometimes required in more severe cases.
Drug Adult and pediatric dose
Albendazole 400 mg twice a day by mouth for 8 to 14 days
Mebendazole 200 to 400 mg three times a day by mouth for 3 days, then 400 to 500 mg three times a day by mouth for 10 days
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