TRICHINOSIS AND NONCLINICAL INFECTIONS WITH TRICHINELLA SPIRALIS

Trichinella spiralis is a microscopic parasite that may be found as an encysted larva in man and many animals, including the dog, rat, hog, cat and bear. Recent surveys have shown that the number of persons in whom trichinella larvae may be found is considerably larger than was previously suspected. There is no evidence that the presence of the parasites was accompanied, so far as known, by clinical symptoms of trichinosis. The recent discovery of nonclinical infections with trichinella necessitates a review of the significance of the newer investigations and a consideration of present safeguards against trichinosis. The disease trichinosis is acquired by man primarily from eating trichinous pork which has not been thoroughly cooked.1At the present time there is no known practical method of inspection whereby the muscle tissue of pork can be adequately examined for the presence of trichinella larvae. The meat inspection authorities of the