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Trichinosis, trichinellosis or trichiniasis is a parasitic disease caused by roundworms of the genus ''Trichinella''. Several subspecies cause human disease, but ''T. spiralis'' is the most known. Infection may occur without symptoms, while intestinal invasion can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain or vomiting. Larval migration into muscle tissue (one week after being infected) can cause edema of the face or around the eyes, conjunctivitis, fever, muscle pains, splinter hemorrhage Trichinosis is mainly caused by eating undercooked meat containing encysted larval ''Trichinella''. In the stomach the larvae are exposed to stomach acid and pepsin which releases them from their cysts. They then start invading the wall of the small intestine, where they develop into adult worms. Females are 2.2 mm in length; males 1.2 mm. The life span in the small intestine is about four weeks. After 1 week, the females release more larvae that migrate to voluntarily controlled muscles where they encyst. Diagnosis is usually made based on symptoms, and is confirmed by serology or by finding encysted or non-encysted larvae in biopsy or autopsy samples. The best way to prevent trichinellosis is to cook meat to safe temperatures. Using food thermometers can make sure the temperature inside the meat is high enough to kill the parasites.〔 The meat should not be tasted until it is completely cooked.〔 Once infection has been verified treatment with antiparasitic drugs such as albendazole or mebendazole should be started at once. A fast response may help kill adult worms and thereby stop further release of larvae.〔 Once the larvae have established in muscle cells, usually by 3 to 4 weeks after infection, treatment may not completely get rid of the infection or symptoms.〔 Both drugs are considered safe but have been associated with side effects such as bone marrow suppression.〔 Patients on longer courses should be monitored though regular blood count Trichinosis can be acquired by eating both domestic and wild animals, but is not soil-transmitted. ==Signs and symptoms== The great majority of trichinosis infections have either minor or no symptoms and no complications.〔()〕 There are two main phases for the infection: enteral (affecting the intestines) and parenteral (outside the intestines). The symptoms vary depending on the phase, species of ''Trichinella'', amount of encysted larvae ingested, age, gender, and host immunity.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「trichinosis」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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