title: The role of evolutionary biology in research and control of liver flukes in Southeast Asia.
abstract: Stimulated largely by the availability of new technology, biomedical research at the molecular-level and chemical-based control approaches arguably dominate the field of infectious diseases. Along with this, the proximate view of disease etiology predominates to the exclusion of the ultimate, evolutionary biology-based, causation perspective. Yet, historically and up to today, research in evolutionary biology has provided much of the foundation for understanding the mechanisms underlying disease transmission dynamics, virulence, and the design of effective integrated control strategies. Here we review the state of knowledge regarding the biology of Asian liver Fluke-host relationship, parasitology, phylodynamics, drug-based interventions and liver Fluke-related cancer etiology from an evolutionary biology perspective. We consider how evolutionary principles, mechanisms and research methods could help refine our understanding of clinical disease associated with infection by Liver Flukes as well as their transmission dynamics. We identify a series of questions for an evolutionary biology research agenda for the liver Fluke that should contribute to an increased understanding of liver Fluke-associated diseases. Finally, we describe an integrative evolutionary medicine approach to liver Fluke prevention and control highlighting the need to better contextualize interventions within a broader human health and sustainable development framework.
authors.affiliation: WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Control of Opisthorchiasis, Tropical Disease Research laboratory, Department of Experimental Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand; Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario P3E 2C6, Canada; Global Health Asia, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. Electronic address: pn_echaubard@laurentian.ca.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Echaubard
authors.affiliation: WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Control of Opisthorchiasis, Tropical Disease Research laboratory, Department of Experimental Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand; Liver Fluke and Cholangiocarcinoma Research Center, Department of Parasitology, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
authors.forename: Banchob
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sripa
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario P3E 2C6, Canada.
authors.forename: Frank F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Mallory
authors.affiliation: Global Health Asia, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA.
authors.forename: Bruce A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Wilcox
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005075:Biological Evolution; D003003:Clonorchiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission; D003004:Clonorchis sinensis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D005210:Fasciola hepatica / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D005211:Fascioliasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000469:parasitology; D008975:Molluscacides / Q000494:pharmacology; D009534:Niclosamide / Q000494:pharmacology; D009889:Opisthorchiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission; D009891:Opisthorchis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012908:Snails / Q000187:drug effects / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D008975:Molluscacides; D011223:Praziquantel; D009534:Niclosamide
keywords: Epidemiology; Evolution; Host-parasite; Infectious disease; Opisthorchis; Transmission