Distribution of Trichinella infections in pigs and Trichinellosis in humans in Serbia from 1994 to 2018

Abstract

Introduction. Trichinellosis is a disease in humans caused by parasites of the genus Trichinella, and these roundworms can occur in a variety of animals (over one hundred mammal species). Members of the genus Trichinella are present in almost all continents and in all climate zones. Intensive studies on the eradication of this disease have been going on for a long period, but despite the finances invested in research projects, trichinellosis is still present in the 21st century and poses a major health issue all over the world. According to current scientific estimations, there are over 27 million Trichinella-infected people in the world. The aim of our study was to determine the distribution and trends for Trichinella infection in pigs and trichinellosis in humans in Serbia between 1994 and 2018.
Materials and Methods. Data for the 25-year surveillance period of Trichinella cases registered in pigs and humans in Serbia was gathered from the Veterinary Directorate and from the Institute of Public Health of the Republic of Serbia. The data obtained was analysed with the relative numbers of structure and dynamics, indices and descriptive statistical indicators.
Results and Conclusions. During the research period, 14,837 pigs were diagnosed as infected with Trichinella. Out of this number, 87.31% of pigs were identified in the five epizootiological regions, and only 12.69% were diagnosed in the non-epizootiological regions in Serbia. During the period 1994-2018 in Serbia, a total of 6,850 people were treated for Trichinella infection. Out of this number, 4,153 (60.63%) people were from the five epizootiological regions. The trend-line describing the presence of Trichinella in pigs was defined by a fourth degree polynomial function. Meanwhile, the trend-line describing the presence of trichinellosis in humans was defined by a sixth degree polynomial function. Trichinellosis in Serbia is most common during the winter season, from December to March.