title: A high frequency of hepatobiliary disease and suspected cholangiocarcinoma associated with heavy Opisthorchis viverrini infection in a small community in north-east Thailand.
abstract: A group of 87 adults from a small village in north-east Thailand was chosen to undergo ultrasound investigation based on their intensity of infection with the liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini, or clinical status (history of jaundice, current hepatomegaly). From this group, 8 cases of suspected early cholangiocarcinoma were found, and the diagnostic features of 6 of the 8 were confirmed by computerized tomography scan and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. In addition, several cases of mild gall-bladder disease, chronic cholecystitis, cholelithiasis and parenchymal liver disease were detected. A highly significant positive relationship between the intensity of liver fluke worm burden and the severity of biliary tract disease within individuals is reported. These results indicate that Opisthorchis is associated with moderate to severe hepatobiliary disease in a considerable proportion of infected individuals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand.
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Elkins
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Haswell-Elkins
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mairiang
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mairiang
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sithithaworn
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaewkes
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bhudhisawasdi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Uttaravichien
mesh_terms: D002759:Adenoma, Bile Duct / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005705:Gallbladder Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009889:Opisthorchiasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012737:Sex Factors; D013785:Thailand; D014463:Ultrasonography