Studies on the Use of Cortisone and Acth in Trichinosis

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Abstract
Introduction. The incidence of trichinosis in the general population of the United States is thought to be about 25 per cent, but may be as high as 35 per cent in some regions. Most cases, however, are subclinical and go unrecognized. In those cases which come to medical attention the mortality rate is about 5 per cent. No specific therapy is known, and the treatment is symptomatic (Gould, 1945). In recent years clinical trials have shown all the anthelminthic drugs to be ineffective in the intramuscular phase of this disease. Since 1951, clinical studies on the use of ACTH and cortisone have yielded data showing that these drugs are valuable in the treatment of trichinosis (Buyella et al., 1953; Davis and Most, 1951; Faiguenbaum, 1952; Rosen, 1952; Rothenberg, 1951; Sadusk, 1954; Solomon and Seligman, 1952). Significant relief of symptoms has been reported: decrease in fever and eosinophilia, increased muscular strength, and a lessening of pain and fatigue.