The prevention of biological damage brought about by free radical mediated mechanisms can be achieved by specific chemical scavengers which trap free radicals as well as by protective enzymes that remove hydrogen peroxide or superoxide radicals. The aim of this study was to carry out a comparative analysis of enzymes acting against free-radicals and peroxides in Trichinella spiralis, T. nelsoni and T. pseudospiralis isolates. The activity of superoxide dismutase in T. pseudospiralis was about two times higher than in T. spiralis and about 1.5 times higher than that of T. nelsoni. In all the isolates only one band representing superoxide dismutase was identified on electrophoretic analysis. Catalase and peroxidase activities were very low. Using electrophoretical analysis we found three identical bands of peroxidase activity in the species investigated. Our data suggest that, with regard to the anti-oxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase plays an important role whereas peroxidase and catalase play lesser roles in the defence of Trichinella spp. larvae against host generated free radicals released during the response to infection.
The objective of the present survey was to establish the distribution of Trichinella species in red foxes in Estonia. Of 446 muscle samples from red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) collected in different regions of Estonia in a three-year period (2000-2002), Trichinella was recovered from 181 foxes (41%) by HCl-pepsin digestion. Of 121 Trichinella samples typed by multiplex-PCR, T. nativa and T. hritovi were identified in 61 (50%) and 47 (39%) foxes, respectively, whereas mixed infections with these two species were detected in 13 foxes (11%). T. nativa-infected foxes were originating from colder areas than those infected with T. britovi.
In this review the pathomechanisms of human trichinellosis with particular relation to intestinal and muscular invasion are presented. The numerous factors initiated by antigen released by Trichinella, which play a role in the development of pathological process (including immunological, pathomorphological, metabolic and bioelectric disturbances) and short clinical characteristics of the disease are also presented. Pathology of late period of trichninellosis sequelae are discussed.