Host diversity and biological characteristics of the Trichinella genotypes and their effect on transmission

The host spectra and biological diversity of the Trichinella genotypes are reviewed. While all genotypes appear to reproduce equally well in carnivore hosts, their infectivity and persistence in omnivores and herbivores show remarkable differences. Most of the genotypes found in wildlife have low infectivity for pigs and some persist only for a few weeks; in herbivores this tendency is even more profound, but malnourished, environmentally stressed, or otherwise immune-suppressed hosts are likely to be more susceptible to Trichinella genotypes that would otherwise cause no, or only low level infection in that particular host species. In the domestic habitat (e.g. domestic pig farms), Trichinella spiralis is found almost exclusively, but in the sylvatic habitat the other Trichinella genotypes have found individual ecological niches. Thus, when environmental stress is limited in the domestic habitat, the high reproductive capacity of T. spiralis has a selective advantage, but in nature, the tolerance of other (sylvatic) genotypes to high and low temperatures and decomposition of host tissue might be more important. Parasite distribution according to muscle appear to be independent of the genotype of Trichinella and predilection sites are primarily determined by host species and secondarily by the age and level of infection. The biological diversity of the Trichinella genotypes should definitely be considered when planning experimental studies, as the uniform high infectivity of ail genotypes in carnivores probably make them more suited for comparative studies than rodents. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.