A patient who consumed bear meat and had fever and myalgia is likely infected with what organism?

A patient who consumed bear meat and had fever and myalgia is likely infected with what organism?

• A. Toxoplasma gondii
• B. Taenia solium
• C. Hymenolepis nana
• D. Trichinella spiralis

Answer: (D)

The likelihood of the patient being infected with Trichinella spiralis is supported by the consumption of bear meat, as this organism is commonly associated with undercooked or raw meat from wild game, particularly bears, as well as pigs. Trichinella spiralis is a parasitic roundworm that causes trichinosis, a disease that manifests with symptoms such as fever, myalgia (muscle pain), and gastrointestinal discomfort after ingestion of infected meat. Once the larvae of Trichinella enter the human body, they encyst in muscle tissue, leading to the characteristic muscle pain and fever. The history of bear meat consumption along with the presenting symptoms strongly suggests this infection. In contrast, Toxoplasma gondii is primarily associated with undercooked meat and cat feces, but the symptoms would differ, presenting with more neurological signs in immunocompromised individuals or congenital effects rather than myalgia. Taenia solium, a tapeworm associated with pork, typically causes a different set of gastrointestinal symptoms. Hymenolepis nana, the dwarf tapeworm, is mostly linked to poor sanitation and is less likely to cause myalgia or fever. In summary, the scenario provided closely aligns with the profile

The likelihood of the patient being infected with Trichinella spiralis is supported by the consumption of bear meat, as this organism is commonly associated with undercooked or raw meat from wild game, particularly bears, as well as pigs. Trichinella spiralis is a parasitic roundworm that causes trichinosis, a disease that manifests with symptoms such as fever, myalgia (muscle pain), and gastrointestinal discomfort after ingestion of infected meat.

Once the larvae of Trichinella enter the human body, they encyst in muscle tissue, leading to the characteristic muscle pain and fever. The history of bear meat consumption along with the presenting symptoms strongly suggests this infection.

In contrast, Toxoplasma gondii is primarily associated with undercooked meat and cat feces, but the symptoms would differ, presenting with more neurological signs in immunocompromised individuals or congenital effects rather than myalgia. Taenia solium, a tapeworm associated with pork, typically causes a different set of gastrointestinal symptoms. Hymenolepis nana, the dwarf tapeworm, is mostly linked to poor sanitation and is less likely to cause myalgia or fever.

In summary, the scenario provided closely aligns with the profile