Detection of trichinellosis in a historically Trichinella-free area of Argentina

COSTANTINO S.N., SOSA N., CALCAGNO MA., FORASTIERO M.A., FARABELLO S.P., TAUS M.R. AND VENTURIELLO S.M.

National Park Plitvicie Lakes, Croacia

Conferencia; XII International Conference on Trichinellosis; 2007

International Commission on Trichinellosis

The aim of the present work was to determine the presence of human and porcine trichinellosis in an historically Trichinella-free area of Argentina. Blood donors (n:216) and pigs destined for consumption (n:57) were evaluated by immunoserological techniques (ELISA, immunofluorescence and/or western blot). Moreover, 26 out of the 57 animals were parasitologically evaluated by the artificial digestion method. Epidemiological data were collected by means of a questionnaire to evaluate the alimentary habits of the population as well as the raising conditions of swine. Surveys showed that a 98.1% of the individuals (n:212) were habitual consumers of pork in the form of stuffed products acquired mainly at the butcher’s. The seroprevalence (positive sera by two or three methodologies) was 8.3% (n:18) for human trichinellosis and 24.5% (n:14) for porcine trichinellosis. Trichinella larvae were found in a 7.7% (n:2) of the evaluated animals, with parasite loads of 0.33 muscle larvae (ML)/g and 2.4 ML/g. The isolated ML corresponded to T. spiralis. Twelve Trichinella-positive animals were swine raised in deficient conditions. Our studies confirm the existence of human and porcine trichinellosis in an area regarded as Trichinella-free and demonstrate that the lack of reports over a long period is not sufficient for an area to be considered as Trichinella-free.