Risk Factors for Opisthorchis viverrini and Minute Intestinal Fluke Infections in Lao PDR, 2009–2011

Abstract

Abstract. The purpose of this report is to compare the prevalence of Opisthorchis viverrini/minute intestinal fluke (Ov/MIF) in Lao People's Democratic Republic according to different regions and evaluate the effect of ingestion of raw freshwater fish on the infection. Demographic data, behavioral data, and symptoms were obtained, and the Kato-Katz method was used for the diagnosis of Ov/MIF. In total, 3,046 individuals were enrolled. The risk factors associated with acquisition of Ov/MIF were raw fish consumption and province. Khong Island showed the highest prevalence (odds ratio = 80.1, 95% confidence interval = 47.9-133.9, P 0.001) compared with other districts, and raw fish consumption was related to Ov/MIF infection. Administration of praziquantel to entire populations, education (avoiding consumption of raw food dishes and improved hygiene), and access to clean water and sanitation should be considered.

First report and molecular identification of Opisthorchis viverrini infection in human communities from Lower Myanmar

“…This is considered a low prevalence [ 9 ], but our survey was limited and must be regarded as preliminary. In agreement with studies done in Lao People's Democratic Republic and Cambodia, our study found that prevalence did not significantly differ between the sexes but did tend to increase with age [ 13 , 26 ]. Opisthorchis infection is highly localized, depending on the food habits of local people and the presence of susceptible snail hosts [ 2 ].…”

“…viverrini was much higher in the Bago Region than elsewhere, possibly owing to the local habit of eating raw or semi-cooked or fermented fish dishes (named “Ngar Lay Chin”) in that region ( Fig 2B and 2C ). The eating of raw or undercooked fish is a known risk factor for opisthorchiasis [ 26 ]. Infection can also occur via the contamination of food, hands, surfaces and food preparation utensils with the infective stage of the parasite (i.e., metacercariae) [ 26 ].…”

“…The eating of raw or undercooked fish is a known risk factor for opisthorchiasis [ 26 ]. Infection can also occur via the contamination of food, hands, surfaces and food preparation utensils with the infective stage of the parasite (i.e., metacercariae) [ 26 ]. A high prevalence of O .…”

“…A high prevalence of O . viverrini infection is strongly positively correlated with the incidence of cholangiocarcinoma in Lao People's Democratic Republic and endemic areas of Thailand [ 26 ]. Although human opisthorchiasis control programs have been conducted in endemic areas in the Mekong Basin for a long time, the infection still prominent in many areas [ 9 ].…”

One hypervirulent clone, sequence type 283, accounts for a large proportion of invasive Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from humans and diseased tilapia in Southeast Asia

“…The estimated date of emergence, of 1985, predates the first known human cases and is roughly contemporaneous with the start of the expansion of aquaculture in SE Asia, based on reports from the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations [56]. The 2015 human outbreak of GBS in Singapore was fish borne; although our current study did not address transmission or consumption patterns, human cases in other parts of Southeast Asia could potentially also be fish-borne, especially since consumption of undercooked aquaculture foods is common in Asia, as shown by the high rate of trematode infections [57, 58]. It is not known to what extent healthy fish may carry ST283, or what the infectious dose for humans may be, but ST283 was isolated from healthy looking fish in Malaysian farms and in Singapore ports and markets, so fish sold for human consumption could be the source of exposure even if visibly diseased fish were excluded from sale.…”