Opisthorchiasis: an Emerging Foodborne Helminthic Zoonosis of Public Health Significance
IJMPES International Journal of http://ijmpes.com doi 10.34172/ijmpes.2020.27 Medical Parasitology & Vol. 1, No. 4, 2020, 101-104 eISSN 2766-6492 Epidemiology Sciences Review Article Opisthorchiasis: An Emerging Foodborne Helminthic Zoonosis of Public Health Significance Mahendra Pal1* ID , Dimitri Ketchakmadze2 ID , Nino Durglishvili3 ID , Yagoob Garedaghi4 ID 1Narayan Consultancy on Veterinary Public Health and Microbiology, Gujarat, India 2Faculty of Chemical Technologies and Metallurgy, Georgian Technical University, Tbilisi, Georgia 3Department of Sociology and Social Work, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi, Georgia 4Department of Parasitology, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran Abstract Opisthorchiasis is an emerging foodborne parasitic zoonosis that has been reported from developing as well as developed nations of the world. Globally, around 80 million people are at risk of acquiring Opisthorchis infection. The source of infection is exogenous, and ingestion is considered as the primary mode of transmission. Humans get the infection by consuming raw or undercooked fish. In most cases, the infection remains asymptomatic. However, in affected individuals, the clinical manifestations are manifold. Occasionally, complications including cholangitis, cholecystitis, and cholangiocarcinoma are observed. The people who have the dietary habit of eating raw fish usually get the infection. Certain occupational groups, such as fishermen, agricultural workers, river fleet employees, and forest industry personnel are mainly infected with Opisthorchis. The travelers to the endemic regions who consume raw fish are exposed to the infection. Parasitological, immunological, and molecular techniques are employed to confirm the diagnosis of disease. Treatment regimens include oral administration of praziquantel and albendazole. In the absence of therapy, the acute phase transforms into a chronic one that may persist for two decades.
[Show full text]