26540 Trichinella Antibody, IgG, Serum

STRIC

Trichinellosis

​As an adjunct in the diagnosis of trichinosis

​Centrifuge and aliquot serum into plastic vial.

Gross hemolysis

Gross lipemia

Heat-inactivated

Antibodies to Trichinella spiralis may not be detectable until 3 weeks after the onset of infection. Therefore, negative results in suspicious cases should be followed by repeat testing in several weeks.

Sensitivity of the test may also be affected by the level of invasive disease, with patients who have lower parasitic loads having a greater risk of being negative by the assay.

Cross reactions with antibodies against Toxocara canis are possible.​

Trichinosis is an infection by the nematode parasite, Trichinella spiralis. The infection is acquired by ingestion of larvae in inadequately cooked, contaminated meat, especially pork, bear, and walrus meat. After ingestion, acid-pepsin digestion in the stomach liberates the larvae, which develop into adult worms in the small intestine. After fertilization, the female worm produces larvae that penetrate the mucosa and seed the skeletal muscles via the blood stream. The larvae coil and encyst in muscle fibers, remaining viable for up to several years.

Diarrhea is the most common symptom associated with intestinal infection with adult worms. Fever, periorbital swelling, muscle pain and swelling, pulmonary symptoms, and rash develop during systemic invasion by the larvae.

Positive:  Results are suggestive of current or past infection with Trichinella spiralis. Results should be used in conjunction with clinical, epidemiologic and other laboratory tests to diagnose current infection.

Borderline:  Recommend follow-up testing in 10 to 14 days if clinically indicated.

Negative:  No antibodies to Trichinella spiralis detected. Repeat testing in 2 to 3 weeks if clinically indicated.