General overview of the current status of human foodborne trematodiasis

Abstract

Foodborne trematodes (FBT) of public health significance include liver flukes (Clonorchis sinensis, Opisthorchis viverrini, O. felineus, Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica), lung flukes (Paragonimus westermani and several other Paragonimus spp.) and intestinal flukes, which include heterophyids (Metagonimus yokogawai, Heterophyes nocens and Haplorchis taichui), echinostomes (Echinostoma revolutum, Isthmiophora hortensis, Echinochasmus japonicus and Artyfechinostomum malayanum) and miscellaneous species, including Fasciolopsis buski and Gymnophalloides seoi. These trematode infections are distributed worldwide but occur most commonly in Asia. The global burden of FBT diseases has been estimated at about 80 million, however, this seems to be a considerable underestimate. Their life cycle involves a molluscan first intermediate host, and a second intermediate host, including freshwater fish, crustaceans, aquatic vegetables and freshwater or brackish water gastropods and bivalves. The mode of human infection is the consumption of the second intermediate host under raw or improperly cooked conditions. The major pathogenesis of C. sinensis and Opisthorchis spp. infection includes inflammation of the bile duct which leads to cholangitis and cholecystitis, and in a substantial number of patients, serious complications, such as liver cirrhosis and cholangiocarcinoma, may develop. In lung fluke infections, cough, bloody sputum and bronchiectasis are the most common clinical manifestations. However, lung flukes often migrate to extrapulmonary sites, including the brain, spinal cord, skin, subcutaneous tissues and abdominal organs. Intestinal flukes can induce inflammation in the intestinal mucosa, and they may at times undergo extraintestinal migration, in particular, in immunocompromised patients. In order to control FBT infections, eating foods after proper cooking is strongly recommended.

A case of spontaneous pneumothorax due to paragonimiasis in North America with literature review

“…A definitive diagnosis is made with the microscopic detection of eggs in sputum or feces; eggs may also be found in bronchoalveolar (BAL) fluid, pleural effusion fluid, and surgical specimens like lung biopsies [1] , [2] . Serological testing, such as Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), is recognized as a more reliable method for diagnosis due to its high sensitivity and high specificity [2] , [16] . Because trematode infections in humans are rare in North America, cross-reactivity of antibodies across different trematode species (schistosomiasis, fascioliasis, clonorchiasis) is less of a concern for the serodiagnosis of P .…”

Foodborne trematodes: old foes, new kids on the block and research perspectives for control and understanding host–parasite interactions

“…In the first article of the special issue, Chai and Jung broadly review current understanding of a range of trematodes, including lesser-studied species such as Metagonimus yokogawai, Heterophyes nocens, Haplorchis taichui, Echinostoma revolutum, Isthmiophora hortensis, Echinochasmus japonicus, Artyfechinostomum malayanum, Fasciolopsis buski and Gymnophalloides seoi (Chai & Jung, 2022). The review offers a unique historical perspective of each species and includes detailed coverage of their biology, epidemiology, diagnosis and control.…”

Evaluation of the Ovicidal Activity and Fasciolicidal Activity of the Extract of Ethyl Acetate from Artemisia Ludoviciana Nutt. Spp. Mexicana and of Artemisinin Against Adult Parasites of Fasciola Hepatica

“…In addition, it is a disease of serious public health concern, as it is an emerging zoonosis with a presence in 70 countries, and it is estimated that there are between 2.4 and 17 million people infected worldwide and 1 billion more at risk (Sabourin et al 2018;Fairweather et al 2020). It is a disease that has spread over the years due to the growth of the global livestock industry and climatic factors that have allowed adaptation and a greater geographical distribution of the intermediate host (Dargie 1987 Chai and Jung 2022). Fasciolosis is caused by the uke Fasciola hepatica.…”