Which parasite is known to cause trichinellosis in pigs?

Which parasite is known to cause trichinellosis in pigs?

• A. Fasciola Hepatica
• B. Eimeria Suis
• C. Trichinella spiralis
• D. Oesophagostomum dentatum

Answer: (C)

Trichinella spiralis is the parasite known to cause trichinellosis in pigs. This nematode has a life cycle that starts when pigs ingest meat containing encysted larvae. In the small intestine, the larvae develop into adults; the females release new larvae that travel through the bloodstream and encyst in skeletal muscles. Those muscle cysts can then infect other animals if the meat is eaten, which is why trichinellosis is both a porcine and zoonotic concern. The disease name itself is tied to this parasite, distinguishing it from the other listed organisms which cause different conditions—Fasciola hepatica is a liver fluke causing fascioliasis, Eimeria suis causes coccidiosis, and Oesophagostomum dentatum is a nodular worm infection.

Trichinella spiralis is the parasite known to cause trichinellosis in pigs. This nematode has a life cycle that starts when pigs ingest meat containing encysted larvae. In the small intestine, the larvae develop into adults; the females release new larvae that travel through the bloodstream and encyst in skeletal muscles. Those muscle cysts can then infect other animals if the meat is eaten, which is why trichinellosis is both a porcine and zoonotic concern. The disease name itself is tied to this parasite, distinguishing it from the other listed organisms which cause different conditions—Fasciola hepatica is a liver fluke causing fascioliasis, Eimeria suis causes coccidiosis, and Oesophagostomum dentatum is a nodular worm infection.