Carcinogenic Human Liver Fluke: Current Status of Opisthorchis viverrini Metacercariae in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Opisthorchis viverrini infection is a serious public-health problem in Southeast Asia. It isassociated with a number of hepatobiliary diseases and the evidence strongly indicates that liver fluke infectionis the etiology of cholangiocarcinoma. <br/><b>Objectives</b>: This study aimed to investigate Opisthorchis viverrinimetacercarial infection in cyprinoid fish collected from 32 districts of Nakhon Ratchasima province, NortheasternThailand during one year period from February 2010 to February 2011. <br/><b>Methods</b>: A cross-sectional study wasconducted, data being collected with pepsin-HCl digestion and stereomicroscope, respectively. Analysis wasperformed using SPSS Windows Version 12.0. <br/><b>Results</b>: A total of 640 Cyprinidae family fish including 5 specieswere collected from different study sites, and investigated for O. viverrini metacercariae. The infection rate was12.3% (79/640), predominantly in Cyclocheilichthys armatus, C. repasson, Puntioplites proctzysron, Hampalamacrolepitota and Hampala dispar, respectively. The prevalence of O. viverrini metaceria in Nakhon Ratchasimaarea was 78.1%, predominantly in Sida and KiaKham Thale So. <br/><b>Conclusion</b>: This findings stress that naturalfish species in rural communities are still a source of O viverrini infection and put local people at risk, thereforepublic awareness and prevention campaigns are urgently required.