Trichinellosis
Dr Alvin A. Gajadhar
Centre for Food-borne and Animal Parasitology
Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Saskatoon Laboratory
116 Veterinary Road, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 2R3, Canada
Tel.: (1-306) 975-5344, Fax: (1-306) 975-5711
agajadhar@inspection.gc.ca
Summary of general activities related to the disease
1.
2.
Test(s) in use/or available for the specified disease at your laboratory
Test
For
Specificity
Total
Artificial digestion
Detection of muscle larvae
Genus
1066 tests
(22,780 samples)
Bioassay
Detection and viability of
muscle larvae
Genus
104
PCR
Molecular characterization
of muscle larvae
Species, genotype
24
ELISA
Anti-Trichinella antibody
Genus
0
Production and distribution of diagnostic reagents
1) Defined proficiency samples for digestion assays containing precisely known numbers of encysted larvae.
2) Defined proficiency samples for microscopic examination containing precisely known numbers of free larvae.
3) Excretory-secretory (ES) antigen for indirect ELISAs.
4) Reference sera from known infected pigs and horses (ongoing serum bank development).
Distribution nationally:
644 Proficiency samples for digestion assays.
144 Proficiency samples for microscopic examination.
3 ES antigen samples.
6 Reference sera samples.
Distribution to other OIE Member Countries:
16 Proficiency samples for digestion assays.
Activities specifically related to the mandate
of OIE Reference Laboratories
3.
International harmonisation and standardisation of methods for diagnostic testing or the
production and testing of vaccines
1) Collaborative studies with UMR BIPAR, AFSSA, France to harmonize the use of proficiency samples for the
assessment of Trichinella digestion test systems.
2) Evaluation of a commercial ELISA kit for trichinellosis in swine (Switzerland).
Annual reports of OIE Reference Laboratories and Collaborating Centres, 2007
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Trichinellosis
3) Participation in international ring trial for Trichinella ELISA and interpretation of results.
4) Participation in the ICT Standards for Control Guidelines Committee to update recommendations on methods
for the control of Trichinella in domestic and wild animals intended for human consumption.
4.
Preparation and supply of international reference standards for diagnostic tests or vaccines
Standardized proficiency samples for digestion assays containing live, encysted larvae - provided 16 samples for
international use.
5.
Research and development of new procedures for diagnosis and control
Collaborative research project with the USDA to determine the cold tolerance of genotypes of Trichinella and to
assess the viability of these genotypes when frozen according to regulatory guidelines that were originally put in
place to kill T. spiralis.
6.
Collection, analysis and dissemination of epizootiological data relevant to international disease
control
Ongoing national sample collection from wildlife to determine the host and geographical ranges of T2, T4, T5 and
T6 in Canada, and to determine if other genotypes are present. No significant new findings in this survey during
the calendar year.
Some recent significant findings reported at the 2007 ICT12 conference include: a) typing of a new encapsulated
genotype in a wild boar from Spain; b) a novel encapsulated genotype of Trichinella from Argentina; c) isolates of
T. spiralis and T. nativa in dogs in China.
7.
Provision of consultant expertise to OIE or to OIE Member Countries
1) Participated in organizing and presenting an international workshop on Trichinella Diagnostics and Control:
QA, harmonization and certification, Zagreb, Croatia.
2) Participated in and organizing the XII International Conference on Trichinellosis, Plitvice Lakes National Park,
Croatia.
8.
Provision of scientific and technical training to personnel from other OIE Member Countries
Training in quality assurance and test performance was provided to approximately 60 participants from a number
of countries, including Croatia, Romania, Estonia, Israel, Britain, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Japan attending an
international workshop on Trichinella Diagnostics and Control: QA, harmonization and certification, Zagreb,
Croatia.
9.
Provision of diagnostic testing facilities to other OIE Member Countries
Provided advice and support to several member countries in establishing programs in support of Trichinella
diagnosis, including New Zealand and European countries.
10. Organisation of international scientific meetings on behalf of OIE or other international bodies
1) Assisted with the organization of, and participated in, the XII International Conference on Trichinellosis,
Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia.
2) Assisted with the organization and delivery of an international workshop on Trichinella Diagnostics and
Control: QA, harmonization and certification, Zagreb, Croatia in association with the XII International
Conference on Trichinellosis.
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Annual reports of OIE Reference Laboratories and Collaborating Centres, 2007
Trichinellosis
11. Participation in international scientific collaborative studies
Current studies are ongoing and not in final report stage.
12. Publication and dissemination of information relevant to the work of OIE (including list of
scientific publications, internet publishing activities, presentations at international conferences)

Presentations at international conferences and meetings
International collaboration in support of standardization, validation, and harmonization of quality assured
diagnostic parasitology testing for food safety and trade. Scandrett B., Forbes L., Gajadhar A. XXIst International
Conference of the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology. August 19-23, 2007, Gent,
Belgium.
Quality Assurance Program for trichinellosis. Gajadhar, A.A. Pre-ICT 12 Workshop, Trichinella Diagnostics and
control: Quality Assurance, harmonization and certification. September 22-23, 2007, Zagreb, Croatia.
Performance of a magnetic stirrer digestion assay within a quality assured testing system. Forbes, L.B. Pre-ICT 12
Workshop, Trichinella Diagnostics and control: Quality Assurance, harmonization and certification. September
22-23, 2007, Zagreb, Croatia.
Validation of a unique digestion assay to consistently detect Trichinella larvae at critical levels in horse meat.
Forbes, L.B., Hill, D.E., Parker, S., Tessaro, S.V. , Gamble, H.R., Gajadhar, A.A. XII International Conference on
trichinellosis. 25-30 September 2007. Plitvice Lakes, Croatia.
Review of recent outbreaks of trichinellosis due to the consumption of meat from Canadian black bears. Gajadhar
A.A. and L.B. Forbes. XII International Conference on trichinellosis. 25-30 September 2007. Plitvice Lakes,
Croatia.
Preparation and use of Trichinella proficiency samples as part of a quality assurance system to improve the
sensitivity of Trichinella digestion testing in laboratories in France. Vallée, I., Macé, P., Forbes, L., Scandrett, B.,
Durand, B., Gajadhar, A., Boireau, P. XII International Conference on trichinellosis. 25-30 September 2007.
Plitvice Lakes, Croatia.
Viability and infectivity of Trichinella spiralis muscle larvae in frozen horse tissue. Hill, D.E., Forbes, L.B.,
Gajadhar, A.A., Gamble, H.R. XII International Conference on trichinellosis. 25-30 September 2007. Plitvice
Lakes, Croatia.

Scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals
Forbes, L.B., Hill, D.E., Parker, S., Tessaro, S.V., Gamble, H.R., Gajadhar, A.A. 2007. Complete validation of a
unique digestion assay to detect Trichinella larvae in horse meat demonstrates its reliability for meeting food
safety and trade requirements. J. Food. Prot. (In press)
Hill, D.E., Forbes, L.B., Kramer, M., Gajadhar, A., and Gamble, H.R. 2007. Larval viability and serological
response in horses with long-term infection of Trichinella spiralis. Vet. Parasit. 146: 107-116.
Hill, D.E., Forbes, L.B., Gajadhar, A.A., and Gamble, H.R. 2007. Viability and infectivity of Trichinella spiralis
muscle larvae in frozen horse tissue. Vet. Parasit. 146: 102-106.
Vallée, I., Macé, P., Forbes, L., Scandrett, B., Durand, B., Gajadhar, A., Boireau, P. 2007. The use of proficiency
samples to assess diagnostic laboratories in France performing a Trichinella digestion assay. J. Food. Prot. 70:
1685-1690.
McIntyre, L., Pollock, S.L., Fyfe, M., Gajadhar, A., Isaac-Renton, J., Fung, J., Morshed, M. 2007. Trichinellosis
from consumption of wild game meat. Can J Med Assoc., 176: 449-451.
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Annual reports of OIE Reference Laboratories and Collaborating Centres, 2007
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