A case of trichinosis-Aspergillus infection in the lungs

AUTHORS : Altukhov S.V. 

RELEVANT UNIVERSITIES : St. Petersburg, Russia

YEAR : 2004 | Category : Case Study

Trichinosis – helminthiasis with natural focus, caused by a parasitic worm from the nematode class – Trichinella (BME). Aspergillosis – fungal disease of humans, animals and birds, caused by aspergillus (BME).

1. Sexually mature lives in the intestines of the host.

2. Juveniles (larvae) are born in the intestinal wall and are introduced into the lumen lymphatic vessels, from where they enter the bloodstream and are carried through the body.

3. Muscular Trichinella (larvae) grow from juvenile Trichinella, embedded under the sarcolemma of the striated muscle.

From one animal to another and to humans, Trichinella spp. In the phase of mature encapsulated larvae when they eat infected meat. In the human body, intestinal trichinella live for 42–55 days, and muscular (encapsulated) ones – for many years (40–50). Each larva is encapsulated separately, although sometimes there can be two or even three larvae in one capsule.

As a rule, the capsule has an oval or round shape, the average size is 0.4 mm – length and 0.25 mm – width, the capsule gradually becomes denser, becomes doublecircuit, and calcifies. With primary aspergillosis of the lungs, as a rule, people who have a connection with agriculture, who deal with moldy fruits, grain, flour, hay, people who inhale dust contaminated with a fungus, fall ill.

In secondary aspergillosis of the lungs, the effect of mold fungi is “layered” on the pathological process already in the patient’s lungs (emphysema, bronchiectasis, tuberculosis, cancer, abscess, pulmonary infarction, sarcoidosis, etc.). In recent years, pulmonary aspergillosis has been studied and described as a complication of antibiotic treatment. In the middle of December, patient L., age 62, turned to me.