Opisthorchis viverrini: The carcinogenic human liver fluke

Abstract

Opisthorchiasis caused by Opisthorchis viverrini remains a major public health problem in many parts of Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Lao PDR, Vietnam and Cambodia. The infection is associated with a number of hepatobiliary diseases, including cholangitis, obstructive jaundice, hepatomegaly, cholecystitis and cholelithiasis. Multi-factorial etiology of cholangiocarcinoma, mechanical damage, parasite secretions, and immunopathology may enhance cholangiocarcinogenesis. Moreover, both experimental and epidemiological evidences strongly implicate liver fluke infection as the major risk factor in cholangiocarcinoma, cancer of the bile ducts. The liver fluke infection is induced by eating raw or uncooked fish products that is the tradition and popular in the northeastern and northern region, particularly in rural areas, of Thailand. The health education programs to prevent and control opisthorchiasis are still required in the high-risk areas.

Proteomic Analysis of Differentially Expressed Proteins in Peripheral Cholangiocarcinoma

“…In addition, it has very high incidence in some countries where its etiology is linked to parasitic disease of the liver [2]. Cholangiocarcinoma arises from the epithelial cells or cholangiocytes that line bile ducts.…”

Opisthorchis viverrini (liver fluke) as the lot of baleful parasite of tropical region-A replete synopsis

“…The developed worms abide in the biliary arrangement of the beastly host, where they attach to the mucosa. The activity amount of O. viverrini in animal is unknown; however, it may be over 25 years as recorded in Clonorchis sinensis (C. sinensis) [11] . Figure 2 shows the life cycle of O. viverrini [12] .…”

Current Management of Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma and Future Perspectives

“…The lifetime risk of developing CCA in patients with PSC ranges between 5-40%, with a possible association with duration of the disease (12)(13)(14). In contrast, infestation with the hepatobiliary flukes O. vivverrini and C. sinensisis the most commonly reported risk factor in Asian countries, especially in Southeast Asia as these parasites are endemic in these areas (15,16). Both O. vivverrini and C. sinensis have been deemed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as carcinogenic to humans based on their ability to increase the risk of CCA development (12).…”