Parasite
Trichinella spiralis
Encysted muscle larvae from undercooked pork
trik-ih-NEL-uh spih-RAL-iss
High-yield clue
Undercooked pork (or wild game) leads to larvae encysting in skeletal muscle, with periorbital edema, myalgia, and marked eosinophilia.
Overview
A tissue nematode acquired by eating undercooked meat containing encysted larvae, the classic study model linking foodborne roundworm infection to muscle disease.
Classification
- Nematode (roundworm)
- Larvae encyst in striated skeletal muscle
- Zoonotic, foodborne
- No egg stage passed in stool
Lab & identification clues
- Encysted larvae in muscle biopsy vocabulary
- Marked peripheral eosinophilia
- Serologic (antibody) testing concept
Associations
- Undercooked pork or wild-game consumption
- Periorbital/facial edema and myalgia vocabulary
- Splinter hemorrhages association
- Trichinellosis public-health framing
Commonly confused with
- Taenia species
- Toxocara species
Frequently asked questions
What is Trichinella spiralis?
A tissue nematode acquired by eating undercooked meat containing encysted larvae, the classic study model linking foodborne roundworm infection to muscle disease.
What are the lab clues for Trichinella spiralis?
Lab clues for Trichinella spiralis include Encysted larvae in muscle biopsy vocabulary, Marked peripheral eosinophilia, and Serologic (antibody) testing concept.
What is Trichinella spiralis commonly confused with?
Trichinella spiralis is commonly confused with Taenia species and Toxocara species.
Original student-study summary. Sources checked: OpenStax Microbiology 2e, NCBI Bookshelf Medical Microbiology, and CDC topic pages where applicable; reviewed 2026-06. Educational only; no diagnosis, treatment, dosing, or specimen-handling guidance.