Which roundworm is associated with pork and can cause trichinosis?

• A. Trichinella spiralis
• B. Anisakis
• C. Taenia saginata
• D. Enterobius vermicularis

Answer: (A)

Trichinella spiralis is the roundworm linked to pork and the disease trichinosis. This parasite lives in the muscle tissue of pigs, forming cysts that can survive in meat. When undercooked or raw pork containing these cysts is eaten, the larvae are released in the small intestine, mature into adults, and produce more larvae that migrate to muscles, where they form new cysts. This life cycle explains why thorough cooking is essential to inactivate the cysts and prevent illness. Trichinosis can start with digestive symptoms and progress to muscle pain, fever, swelling around the eyes, and general weakness if the larvae invade muscle tissue. Prevention centers on cooking pork to safe temperatures and handling meat properly.

For context, anisakis is a parasite associated with raw or undercooked fish, Taenia saginata is the beef tapeworm, and Enterobius vermicularis is the pinworm that affects humans and is not tied to pork.