TY - JOUR
T1 - Trichinella infection in a hunting community in East Greenland
AU - Møller, Lone Nukarak
AU - Koch, A.
AU - Petersen, E.
AU - Hjuler, T.
AU - Kapel, Christian Moliin Outzen
AU - Andersen, A.
AU - Melbye, M.
PY - 2010/9
Y1 - 2010/9
N2 - Trichinella nativa infection (trichinellosis) is highly prevalent in Arctic wildlife, but the human burden of trichinellosis in present-day Greenland is unknown. The study aimed to determine Trichinella seroprevalence in an eastern Greenlandic hunting community and to evaluate risk factors for seropositivity. Overall, 998 inhabitants aged ≥10 years in the Ammassalik municipality were tested for Trichinella-specific IgG antibodies. Background information was obtained from questionnaires. Seropositivity was 14% in persons aged <40 years and increased to >12% in those aged ≥60 years. Older age, occupation as hunter or fisherman, and consumption of polar bear meat significantly increased the risk of Trichinella seropositivity. The seropositivity age pattern probably reflects changes in dietary preferences, but could also reflect mandatory meat inspection since 1966. However, preventive measures against Trichinella infection should be strengthened in Greenland.
AB - Trichinella nativa infection (trichinellosis) is highly prevalent in Arctic wildlife, but the human burden of trichinellosis in present-day Greenland is unknown. The study aimed to determine Trichinella seroprevalence in an eastern Greenlandic hunting community and to evaluate risk factors for seropositivity. Overall, 998 inhabitants aged ≥10 years in the Ammassalik municipality were tested for Trichinella-specific IgG antibodies. Background information was obtained from questionnaires. Seropositivity was 14% in persons aged <40 years and increased to >12% in those aged ≥60 years. Older age, occupation as hunter or fisherman, and consumption of polar bear meat significantly increased the risk of Trichinella seropositivity. The seropositivity age pattern probably reflects changes in dietary preferences, but could also reflect mandatory meat inspection since 1966. However, preventive measures against Trichinella infection should be strengthened in Greenland.
U2 - 10.1017/s0950268810000282
DO - 10.1017/s0950268810000282
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 20144253
SN - 0950-2688
VL - 138
SP - 1252
EP - 1256
JO - Epidemiology and Infection
JF - Epidemiology and Infection
IS - 9
ER -