Common Name(s):

Pork Worm Disease

Alternative Names & Classifications:

Trichinella Spiralis Infection (CLINICAL), Trichinellosis (CLINICAL)

Description

Upon ingestion, gastric acid releases the larvae, which mature rapidly in the small intestine and birth thousands of newborn larvae into the bloodstream. These new larvae disseminate systemically but only survive by physically invading and encysting within active striated skeletal muscle cells. It is globally distributed and commonly associated with the consumption of wild game or improperly raised domestic pork.