Trichinella

Trichinellosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by parasitic nematodes of the genus Trichinella and remains an important zoonotic disease on a global basis. The man becomes contaminated when eating undercooked meat containing larvae of the nematode. The disease is a feverish myositis and can be a serious disease with severe complications such as myocarditis or encephalitis which can lead to death. The combination of fever, edema of the face, muscle pain with eosinophilia, and increased serum muscle enzymes in the context of raw meat consumption sign the diagnosis of trichinellosis. A positive serology confirms the diagnosis but its positivity may be delayed compared to symptoms onset. The treatment (albendazole and corticosteroids) should be prescribed as soon as possible to be effective and prevent complications.