First case of Trichinosis caused by consumption of undercooked horse meat in Argentina

• Main Author: Laura Rossi, Florencia Coca, Cecilia Cricelli, Alcides Troncoso (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries, 2007-10-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 1972-2680
• Keywords: zoonosis; trichinosis; horse meat.; Internal medicine; RC31-1245; Microbiology; QR1-502
• Source: Journal of Infection in Developing Countries, Vol 1, Iss 2, Pp 217-219 (2007)

Background: Trichinellosis is a helminthic infection, which has a wide geographical distribution. It is acquired by ingestion of raw or undercooked meat infected with Trichinella spp.Methodology: The present work communicates an unusual cause of human trichinosis acquired by eating horse meat which occurred in Argentina. Laboratory investigations were conducted to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other infections including malaria and leptospirosis Result: The patient showed clinical symptoms and signs of trichinellosis such as fever, myalgias, conjunctivitis, palpebral and facial oedema. Laboratory test showed elevated eosinophilia. Anti-Trichinella antibodies in the patient's sera investigated by EIA were reactive. Epidemiology, clinical findings and laboratory features were consistent with diagnosis of trichinellosis.Conclusions: Although the first case of trichinellosis associated with horsemeat was reported in Italy in 1975 and since then other cases of trichinellosis caused by horsemeat have been reported in Europe, there has been no previous experience of trichinellosis due to horsemeat in Argentina.