Opisthorchiasis and Opisthorchis-associated cholangiocarcinoma in Thailand and Laos.
Liver fluke infection caused by Opisthorchis viverrini is a major public health problem in Thailand and the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR; Laos). Currently, more than 600 million people are at risk of infection with these fish-borne trematodes and/or their close relatives. Opisthorchiasis has been studied extensively in Thailand, where about 8 million people are infected with the liver fluke. Here we review the pathogenesis, control and re-emergence of O. viverrini infection, in particular in Thailand and, to a lesser extent in Lao PDR given the contiguous geographical range of O. viverrini through these two regions. We also review the association of O. viverrini infection and cholangiocarcinoma, bile duct cancer, and highlight new findings on pathogenesis of liver fluke-induced cholangiocarcinogenesis. Last, we comment on national control strategies in Thailand for the control of O. viverrini infection aimed at reduction in the prevalence of O. viverrini-associated liver cancer in the longer term.
Sripa
Banchob
B
Tropical Disease Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand. banchob@kku.ac.th
Bethony
Jeffrey M
JM
Sithithaworn
Paiboon
P
Kaewkes
Sasithorn
S
Mairiang
Eimorn
E
Loukas
Alex
A
Mulvenna
Jason
J
Laha
Thewarach
T
Hotez
Peter J
PJ
Brindley
Paul J
PJ
D000818:Animals; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D018281:Cholangiocarcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000469:parasitology; D005399:Fishes / Q000469:parasitology; D016266:Food Parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007812:Laos / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009889:Opisthorchiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D009891:Opisthorchis / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology