title: Taxonomic revision of the genus Trichinella.
abstract: The analysis of genetic, biochemical, and biological data on about 300 Trichinella isolates, reported in the literature, allows a taxonomic revision of this genus. We propose the recognition of 5 sibling species, Trichinella spiralis (Owen, 1835) sensu stricto; Trichinella nativa Britov and Boev, 1972; Trichinella pseudospiralis Garkavi, 1972; Trichinella nelsoni Britov and Boev, 1972 sensu stricto; and Trichinella britovi n. sp., on the basis of biochemical and biological characteristics. Trichinella britovi n. sp. is characterized by distribution in the Palaearctic Region; newborn larvae (NBL) production in vitro of 35-55 NBL/72 hr; nurse cell development time (NC d.t.) between 24 and 42 days postinfection (d.p.i.); low reproductive capacity index (RCI) in mice, rats, and pigs; low resistance to freezing; 1 unique marker allozyme; and moderate pathogenicity for humans. The new species is most similar to Trichinella nativa but differs from it in 4 allozymes, in having less resistance to freezing, in having a different pattern of major ribosomal DNA fragments after endonuclease digestion, and in distribution area. Trichinella nativa is characterized by a holarctic distribution; hosts that are sylvatic mammals; NBL production in vitro 28-54/72 hr; NC d.t. between 20 and 30 d.p.i.; low RCI in mice, rats, and pigs; high resistance to freezing; 2 unique marker allozymes; and moderate to severe pathogenicity for humans. Trichinella spiralis sensu stricto is characterized by a cosmopolitan distribution in domestic pigs, associated wildlife, and humans; high NBL production in vitro (greater than 90 NBL/72 hr); NC d.t. between 16 and 37 d.p.i.; high RCI in mice, rats, and pigs; no resistance to freezing; 6 unique marker allozymes; and high pathogenicity for humans.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Parasitology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pozio
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: La Rosa
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Murrell
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lichtenfels
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds; D002335:Carnivora; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D051381:Rats; D013552:Swine; D014234:Trichinella / Q000145:classification* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics