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The below mentioned article provides a short note on Trichina Worm.
Morphology of Trichina Worm:
It is one of the smallest nematode (1.4-106 mm in length by 40-60 mm in diameter, (Fig. 109.1, 2).
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Life Cycle of Trichina Worm:
When man consumes raw meat infected (Fig. 109.3) with the cysts (Fig. 109.4) of T. spiralis, the cysts are digested out of the meat in the stomach. After excystation, the larvae invade the intestinal mucosa and develop into adults.
The males die after fertilizing the females which, in turn, discharge larvae (Fig. 109.4). Some of them escape into the lumen of the intestine and the majority enter into the circulation through the mesenteric lymphatic’s, and settle at last in the striated muscles (Fig. 109.3). Pigs can perpetuate the infection.
Clinical Features of Trichina Worm:
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Symptoms of nausea, vomiting, toxic diarrhoea or dysentery, colic, profuse sweating, muscular pain, oedema around eye, nose and limbs, encephalitis, meningitis, deafness may occur.
Laboratory diagnosis is by the demonstration of Trichina larvae in the muscles, adult worms in the faeces, blood or spinal fluid.
Bachman intradermal test; precipitin test; Bentonite flocculation test and fluorescent antibody tests are useful to diagnose Trichinelliasis.
Treatment of Trichina Worm:
Thiobendazole is effective. Supportive treatment by analgesics to reduce muscular pain.
Prophylaxis 1:
Destruction of all carcasses of pigs dying on farm;
(2) Elimination of raw carbages;
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(3) Extermination of rats and mice;
(4) Thorough cooking of all pork to be consumed by man.
