Trichinella Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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Trichinella
[trɪkɪˈnɛlə ]
Definition
biology, parasitology
Trichinella is a genus of parasitic roundworms that infect mammals. The most well-known species, Trichinella spiralis, is responsible for the disease trichinosis in humans, which is contracted by consuming undercooked or raw pork infected with the larvae. The larvae encyst in the muscle tissue of the host and can cause a variety of symptoms, including gastrointestinal distress and muscle pain.
Examples of usage
- Trichinella spiralis is commonly found in pigs.
- Humans can contract trichinosis from eating raw or undercooked pork infected with Trichinella.
- The larvae of Trichinella migrate to the host's muscle tissue.
- Preventing infection from Trichinella involves proper cooking of meat.
Translations
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Origin of 'Trichinella'
The term 'Trichinella' comes from the Greek word 'trikhos,' meaning 'hair,' which refers to the hair-like appearance of these small roundworms. It was first used in the medical literature in the mid-19th century when parasitic infections were gaining attention due to increased awareness of food safety and animal husbandry. The genus was formally named in 1860 by the German zoologist Friedrich Ziegler, who concluded that the worms found in pig muscle were a distinct species. Since then, Trichinella spiralis has been the most studied due to its significance in human health and its ability to cause the disease known as trichinosis, which continues to be a concern in food-borne diseases linked to pork consumption.