Food-borne parasitic zoonosis: Distribution of trichinosis in Thailand

Trichinosis is among the most common food-borne parasitic zoonoses in Thailand and many outbreaks are reported each year. This paper investigates the distribution of the disease in regions of north, north-east, central and south Thailand. Between the earliest recorded of outbreak of trichinosis in Mae Hong Son Province in 1962 and 2006, there have been 135 outbreaks involving 7340 patients and 97 deaths in Thailand. The highest number of cases, 557, was recorded in 1983. Most infected patients were in the 35-44 year age group, and the disease occurred more frequently in men than women during 1962-2003, with no significant sex difference during 2004-2006. Outbreaks were most common in the northern areas, especially in rural areas where raw and under-cooked pork and/or wild animals are eaten. Human infections occur annually in northern Thailand during communal feasts celebrating the Thai New Year. Trichinosis causes have been reported every year, supporting the need for planning education programs.

Trichinosis: Epidemiology in Thailand

Trichinosis is one of the most common food-borne para-sitic zoonoses in Thailand and many outbreaks are re-ported each year. This paper reviews the history, species, and epidemiology of the disease and food habits of the people with an emphasis on the north, northeast, cen-tral and south regions of Thailand. The earliest record of trichinosis in Thailand was in 1962 in the Mae Sariang District, Mae Hong Son Province. Since then, about 130 outbreaks have been reported involving 7392 patients and 97 deaths (1962-2005). The highest number of cas-es, 557, was recorded in 1983. The annual epidemiologi-cal surveillance reports of the Bureau of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand, show that trichinosis cases increased from 61 in 1997 to 351 in 1998. In contrast to these figures, the number of reported cases decreased to 16 in 1999 and 128 cases in 2000. There was no record of trichinosis in 2001, but then the figures for 2002, 2003 and 2004 were 289, 126 and 212 respectively. The infected pa-tients were mostly in the 35-44 years age group and the disease occurred more frequently in men than women at a ratio of 1.7-2.0:1. There were 84 reported cases of trichinosis in Chiang Rai, Nan, Chiang Mai, Si Sa ket, Nakhon Phanom, Kalasin, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom and Surat Thani, provinces locat-ed in different parts of Thailand in 2005. The outbreaks were more common in the northern areas, especially in rural areas where people ate raw or under-cooked pork and/or wild animals. This indicates the need for health education programs to prevent and control trichinosis as soon as possible in the high-risk areas.

Preliminary study of immunodiagnosis of trichinosis by ELISA using urea-soluble antigen of Trichinella spiralis

Urea-soluble antigens of Trichinella spiralis infected larva were preparedand the efficiency of the antigens in diagnosis of trichinosis by ELISA wasstudied.Specific IgG antibodies were detected by ELISA using urea-solubleantigens in 91.67% (22/24) of 24 serum samples taken from patients withtrichinosis and 91.67% (11/12) of 12 blood spots on filter paper.Specific IgMantibodies were seen in 95.24% (20/21) of 21 serum samples from patients withtrichinosis using the antigens.Sera of patients infected with Schistosoma japonicumhad some cross teactions to the antigens,but the sera of mice infected withSchistosoma japoni(?) Ancylostoma caninum larva and Plasmodium yoelti were allnegative in the test.

Crystallodiagnostics of some animals' helmintosis

Objective:To investigate the teziocrystalloscopic features of urine which were collected from both healthy rodents and those with parasitosis.Methods:Physical-chemical characteristics of urine samples that were collected from 15 mice and 20 rats were estimated by their ability to crystallize.Crystallization test results were interpreted with integrated identity table which includes 5 main classes of the crystalline and amorphous formations.Additional quantitative and semiquantitative evaluation indicators were also used.Results:Presence of Trichinella spiralis in animal organism transformed results of the biofluid free crystallogenesis.The main components of rats’ urine facia were single-crystalline rectangles which were made of cholesterol and its derivatives.The biofluid microsamples of healthy rats and rats with echinococcosis had both common and difference.Conclusions:Urine teziocrystalloscopic analysis is an informative method for diagnosis of helminthiasis in animals.