Clonorchiasis and Opisthorchiasis

Excerpt

Three trematodes belonging to the family Opithorchiidae cause human infections that primarily target the liver and biliary tract. They are Clonorchis sinensis, Opisthorchis viverrine, and Opisthorchis felineus. The 3 liver flukes differ slightly in size, ultrastructure, and epidemiology. They have similar complex life cycles, modes of transmission, and clinical implications. Thus, common features of infection caused by these parasites will be the focus of this activity, and where applicable, important differences will be discussed.

The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies these parasites as significant neglected tropical diseases, and an estimated 27 million people are infected.[WHO. Ending the Neglect to Attain the Sustainable Development Goals: A Road Map for Neglected Tropical Diseases 2021–2030] In endemic regions, approximately 700 million people are at risk of acquiring infection. The infection tends to be chronic; in endemic regions, liver fluke infection is a major cause of gallstones, cholecystitis, cirrhosis, cholangiocarcinoma, and liver cancer.