Trichinosis Imitating an Inflammatory Systematic Disease
10.3347/kjp.2021.59.5.497
- Author:
Maria KOSMIDOU
1
;
Georgios PAPAMICHAIL
;
Eleftherios KLOURAS
;
Konstantinos TSAMIS
;
Ioannis SARMAS
;
Iro RAPTI
;
Haralampos MILIONIS
Author Information
1. First Division of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina 45110, Greece
- Publication Type:Case Report
- From:The Korean Journal of Parasitology
2021;59(5):497-499
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Trichinellosis (trichinosis) is a parasitic infection caused by nematodes of the genus Trichinella. Pigs are the most common source of human infection. We describe a case of a 47-year-old woman presented with a wide range of intermittent symptoms including prolonged fever, dry cough, diarrhea, rash, myalgias and arthralgias. The patient was attended by physicians with various medical specialties such as dermatologists, rheumatologists and allergiologists, but they did not establish a certain diagnosis because of the gradual onset of symptoms, raising the suspicion of a systematic disease. After extensive work up, the diagnosis of trichinosis was established with femoral muscle biopsy compatible with inflammatory myopathy of parasitic etiology with trichinosis to be the predominant diagnosis. Despite the significant delay of diagnosis for almost three months, patient was treated successfully with no further complications. Trichinellosis is a food-borne treatable infection. Preventive measures include community education especially in zones where parasite prevalence is increased, improvement of farming and cooking techniques.
