Which nematode parasite is acquired from eating inadequately cooked, infected pork?

Which nematode parasite is acquired from eating inadequately cooked, infected pork?

• A. Taenia saginata
• B. Strongyloides stercoralis
• C. Taenia solium
• D. Trichinella spiralis

Answer: (D)

Eating inadequately cooked pork can transmit a nematode called Trichinella spiralis, which forms cysts in muscle tissue. When contaminated pork is eaten, stomach acids release the larvae, which develop into adults in the small intestine and then migrate to striated muscles where they encyst. This produces the characteristic illness, trichinellosis, with gastrointestinal symptoms followed by muscle pain and other systemic signs as larvae encyst in tissues. This is the best answer because Trichinella spiralis is the only nematode in the list linked to pork consumption. The other options are different types of parasites: Taenia species are tapeworms (cestodes) acquired from undercooked beef or pork; Strongyloides stercoralis is a nematode transmitted mainly through skin contact with contaminated soil, not by eating pork.

Eating inadequately cooked pork can transmit a nematode called Trichinella spiralis, which forms cysts in muscle tissue. When contaminated pork is eaten, stomach acids release the larvae, which develop into adults in the small intestine and then migrate to striated muscles where they encyst. This produces the characteristic illness, trichinellosis, with gastrointestinal symptoms followed by muscle pain and other systemic signs as larvae encyst in tissues.

This is the best answer because Trichinella spiralis is the only nematode in the list linked to pork consumption. The other options are different types of parasites: Taenia species are tapeworms (cestodes) acquired from undercooked beef or pork; Strongyloides stercoralis is a nematode transmitted mainly through skin contact with contaminated soil, not by eating pork.