Current knowledge on human trichinellosis

Until the beginning of the nineties, the control of trichinellosis was thought to be a solved problem in Europe. However, as a consequence of social, economical and ecological changes in Central Eastern and Eastern Europe in the past decade, trichinellosis became a re-emerging infectious disease in the region. Molecular genetic studies demonstrated that at least two Trichinella species can be responsible for trichinellosis outbreaks in the region, and the epidemiology of trichinellosis is more complex than previously thought. Although Trichinella spiralis has been successfully eradicated in Hungary, it was recently demonstrated that Trichinella britovi persists in the sylvatic cycle. In view of the considerable epidemiological changes in the region, the aim of this review is to summarise the current knowledge on the clinical aspects of human trichinellosis.