What parasite causes trichinosis?

Trichinosis is caused by the parasite Trichinella spiralis. This parasite enters the human body through the consumption of undercooked or raw meat that contains encysted larvae. Once ingested, the larvae are released in the intestines, where they mature into adult worms and reproduce. The resulting larvae then migrate to various tissues in the body, particularly the muscles, leading to a range of symptoms, including gastrointestinal discomfort, fever, and muscle pain.

Understanding the life cycle and transmission of Trichinella spiralis is crucial for food safety practices, particularly in handling and cooking meat products. Proper cooking of pork and wild game is essential to prevent infection. In contrast, Ascaris lumbricoides is associated with ascariasis and primarily affects the intestines. Taenia solium, known as the pork tapeworm, causes taeniasis and can lead to cysticercosis but is unrelated to trichinosis. Cestoda is a class that includes tapeworms but does not specifically pertain to the nematode responsible for trichinosis. Thus, Trichinella spiralis is specifically recognized as the cause of this foodborne illness.