Is Trichinella characterized by being a Protozoan or having Eosinophilia?

From the Guidelines

Trichinella is characterized by having Eosinophilia, which is a significant increase in eosinophil count, often accompanied by symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, and muscle pain [ 1 ].

Key Features of Trichinella

• Not a Protozoan: Trichinella is a parasitic nematode, not a protozoan [ 1 ].
• Eosinophilia: A prominent feature of trichinosis is indeed eosinophilia, which is a significant increase in eosinophil count [ 1 ].
• Clinical Presentation: Clinical presentation includes upper abdominal pain, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea, followed by severe myalgia, muscle weakness and consequent respiratory failure, periorbital and facial oedema, conjunctivitis, dysphagia and urticarial rash [ 1 ].
• Investigations: Investigations include serology or muscle biopsy, and an elevated blood creatinine kinase level is frequently seen, and eosinophil count >3 109/L [ 1 ].
• Treatment: Treatment includes Albendazole 400 mg od 3 days (mild disease) in severe disease [ 1 ].

From the Research

Characterization of Trichinella

• Trichinella is a parasitic nematode, not a protozoan 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Eosinophilia in Trichinella Infection

• Eosinophilia is one of the mechanisms by which the host immune response is affected by Trichinella, acting at the central level 5
• The role of eosinophils in the immune reaction to Trichinella is considered, along with other cells such as mast cells, neutrophils, and T cells 5