Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Trichinella spiralis Infection in Blood Donors from Western Romania

Background and Objectives: Trichinellosis, a serious and sometimes fatal human disease, is a foodborne zoonotic disease with worldwide distribution caused by parasitic nematodes of the genus Trichinella. Humans are infected with Trichinella larvae through the ingestion of meat that has not been properly cooked. Romania reported most of the confirmed cases of trichinellosis among the EU countries. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate, for the first time, the seroprevalence and risk factors of Trichinella infection in blood donors from Western Romania. Materials and Methods: Serum samples of 1347 consecutive blood donors were investigated using an immunoenzymaticassay (ELISA) for the determination of specific IgG class antibodies against T.spiralis. A questionnaire interview was used to obtain information regarding the potential risk factors associated with T. spiralis infection. Mantel–Haenszel chi-squared test or the Fisher exact two-tailed test, as appropriate, were used for comparison between T. spiralis positive and T. spiralis negative blood donors. Student’s t-test was used to evaluate differences between means in studied groups and body mass index was calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared. Statistical analysis was performed using Epi Info Version 7.2 and Stata 16.1. Results: T. spiralis IgG antibodies were detected in 2.00% (27) of 1347 consecutive blood donors. Eating raw and/or undercooked meat, from pigs or wild boars, was found to be the main risk factor (p < 0.001). Strong alcoholic drink consumption was highly associated with T. spiralis infection (p = 0.009). Trichinella seroprevalence was higher among rural residents and males. Subjects identified as Trichinella seropositive were not previously diagnosed and have not been treated for Trichinella infection with any specific therapy. Conclusions: The demonstration of T. spiralis antibodies in healthy blood donors suggests that Trichinella infection may be detected in asymptomatic individuals that were not previously diagnosed with this zoonosis.

Dampak Trichinella sp. dalam Daging Babi Terhadap Kesehatan Masyarakat

Trichinellosis/Trichinosis is one of the most common zoonotic parasites in the world caused by infection with Trichinella nematodes. The infection occurs after the larvae have been eaten in the muscles of the infected animal. Due to its spread and spread, several outbreaks of trichinosis have occurred around the world, which has caused serious public health problems. The main risk factor for trichinosis is the consumption of raw or undercooked meat from pigs and hunted meat. In the first stage of infection, adults nematode in the intestine can cause transient gastroenteritis, but the most serious symptoms are associated with the larval formation and muscle migration. a study conducted in India to investigate at the clinical and biochemical profile of Trichinella infection stated that clinical symptoms first appeared at 2-3 weeks after consuming pork and the symptoms would gradually disappear at 4-5 weeks, but there were also some who experienced myalgia. Supervision and implementing proper biosecurity in livestock areas by monitoring and surveillance of the risk of Trichinella infection in pig products and their derivatives as well as preventing transmission to humans.

Trichinella britovi Larval Biomass in Wild Canids in the Abruzzi Region, Italy

This study estimated the larval biomass of larvae of Trichinella britovi in wild canids in annual batches of carcasses recovered from the Abruzzi region, Italy, during 2013–2020. The larval biomass decreased from about six million larvae in 2013 to less than three million in 2019–2020. The province of L’Aquila (99 positive specimens out of 109) was the territory most interested by Trichinella infection. As the larval biomass correlates with the larvae per gram, muscle mass and number of positive carcasses, it could be a better indicator to assess Trichinella infection in wildlife than the prevalence alone, which correlates with only positive carcasses and the examined ones.

STUDY OF TRICHINELLA INFECTION IN WILD MAMMALS IN THE KURSK REGION

In the territory of the Kursk region, according to official statistics, trichinosis in humans is extremely rare, mainly in the form of imported cases. However, sometimes cases of the disease are detected among the population, which are associated with trichinella infection when eating meat of wild mammals living in the natural biocenoses of the Kursk region. In this regard, the purpose of our study was to study the infection of wild animals with Trichinella in the Kursk region. Trichinella larvae were identified by the method of compressor trichinelloscopy and the method of digestion of muscle tissue in artificial gastric juice. Capsule-forming larvae of Trichinella (Trichinella spp.) were found in the muscles of animals. Trichinella was found in the stone marten (10,5%), polecat (6,7%), red fox (5,9%), raccoon dog (22,2%) and white-breasted hedgehog (5,3%). Earlier, we conducted studies that showed that in the Kursk region, Trichinella parasitize not only in carnivores and insectivores, but also among rodents and wild boars. High rates of infection in predators indicate a wide spread of Trichinella in natural biocenoses of the Kursk region. This creates an actual risk for people to be infected with Trichinella. This risk is especially significant for family members of hunters, their relatives and friends.