SURVEY ON TRICHINOSIS IN SLAUGHTERPIGS, WILD BOARS AND FOXES IN BELGIUM

A parasitological and serological survey for trichinellosis was carrie d out on 10,480 slaughterpigs, 88 wild boars and 116 foxes. Not a sing le Trichinella larva was found after trichinoscopy or digestion of poo led muscle samples. The serological examination was carried out succes sively by a screening ELISA using somatic antigen and a more specific ELISA using excretory-secretory (ES) antigens of T.spiralis. In the la tter test only 27 (0.26 %) slaughterpigs reacted positively, whereas n o seropositive wild boars or foxes could be detected. Given the very l ow positive predictive value of the ES-ELISA and the fact that during the last years no Trichinella larvae were found by routine slaughterho use examinations, it can be concluded that the Belgian domestic pig po pulation is virtually free from Trichinella infections.