Trichinella spiralis and Trichinellosis: Morphological, Biological and Immunological Perspectives

Fathy, Ghada Mahmoud; Mohammad Ali, Samira Metwally; Zain El-dein, Asmaa El-taib; Omar, Marwa

doi:10.21608/zumj.2025.404462.4056

Trichinella spiralis and Trichinellosis: Morphological, Biological and Immunological Perspectives

Document Type : Review Articles

Authors

¹ Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt

² Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, EGYPT

³ Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of medicine, Zagazig university, Egypt

⁴ Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt.

10.21608/zumj.2025.404462.4056

Abstract

Background: Trichinella spiralis (T. spiralis) is an important zoonotic parasitic worm that is distributed all over the world. Unlike other parasites, it develops in a single host throughout the whole of its life cycle. Humans develop the infection through ingestion of raw or insufficiently cooked meat of pigs or other animal hosts containing Trichinella spiralis encysted larva. Trichinella spiralis is unique among helminthes by its intriguing abilities not only live and thrive inside the skeletal muscle tissues but have also evolved complex mechanisms for remodeling that niche. T. spiralis triggers a complicated and multidimensional immunological response that includes both innate and adaptive immune systems. During the intestinal phase of infection, the Th1 and Th2 immune responses are both involved in the immunological response to trichinosis. Th1 responses are initially produced, followed by a dominating Th2 response, which is characterized by the production of high amounts of cytokines IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-10, and IL-13.

Conclusion: Apart from its significant role in causing sickness and mortality, trichinosis is also thought to be a source of income loss for farmers and meat processors. Consequently, public health officials around the world are concerned about trichinosis. It is necessary to raise awareness of the intricate biology and morphology of trichinosis to create successful prevention and control programs. Hence, in this article, we aspire to provide detailed insights into the morphological, biological and immunological aspects of Trichinella spiralis infection.

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