Trichinellosis: now and forevermore?

The re-emergence of the zoonotic importance of trichinellosis reminds us that this parasite's unique biological features serve it well in helping it to persist in the face of 150 years of efforts to eliminate it from the food chain. Because of Trichinella's re-emergence as an important public health risk, and the consequent stimulation of research, our knowledge of the parasite has grown, especially on the complexity of its biology and epidemiology. This overview will highlight the major features of this parasite's adaptive traits and the human factors that account for its re-emergence in many regions, along with the actions of the International Trichinellosis Commission to address these issues. The attractiveness of Trichinella as a research subject for study of the parasitic lifestyle will also be emphasized, including areas for future research.