Association of Human Leukocyte Antigen alleles and Cytomegalovirus disease after Kidney Transplantation

Abstract

Purpose: Trichinellosis, also called trichinosis, is a zoonosis caused by Trichinella spp, a helminth that infects a very broad range of animals. Humans can get the infection by eating raw or undercooked meat with Trichinella larvae encysted in muscle tissues of domestic or wild animals. Symptoms may range from very mild to severe and are related to the number of larvae consumed in the meat. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence, symptoms and risk factors of human trichinellosis in Western Romania over a period of 4 years (2012)(2013)(2014)(2015)(2016).Methods & Materials: This retrospective study included 23 consecutive patients diagnosed with trichinellosis and hospitalized at "Victor Babeş " Infectious Diseases Hospital in Timiş oara,Romania, between 01.01.2012 -30.06.2016. Medical records of these patients were investigated to collect clinical, laboratory, epidemiological, and therapeutic data.Results: The 23 patients ranged in age from 2 to 61 years (mean = 31.9 years), 12 (52.2%) were males. Fever (69.5%), myalgia (65.2%), weakness (43.4%) and eyelid edema (34.8%) were the most frecquent symptoms. High levels of white blood cells were reported in 10 (43.5%) patients and eosinophil counts ≥ 4% were reported in 21 (91.3%). Wild boar meat was the source of infection in 4 (17.4%) patients and pork meat was the source of infection in 19 (82.6%). In 43.5% of the patients, the hospitalization period ranged between 10 and 17 days and required significant health care resources. Albendazole was the antiparasitic drug administered in 56.5% of the patients. Conclusion:Trichinellosis still remains an important public health problem in Western Romania. Sanitary education programmes for both swine breeders and consumers and implementation of strict hygienic measures are strongly recommended.