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Review
. 2012 Mar;61(1):10-6.
doi: 10.1016/j.parint.2011.08.014. Epub 2011 Aug 25.

The current status of opisthorchiasis and clonorchiasis in the Mekong Basin

Paiboon Sithithaworn  1 , Ross H Andrews, Van De Nguyen, Thitima Wongsaroj, Muth Sinuon, Peter Odermatt, Yukifumi Nawa, Song Liang, Paul J Brindley, Banchob Sripa
Affiliations
Review

The current status of opisthorchiasis and clonorchiasis in the Mekong Basin

Paiboon Sithithaworn et al. Parasitol Int. 2012 Mar.

Abstract

This review highlights the current status and control of liver fluke infections in the Mekong Basin countries where Opisthorchis and Clonorchis are highly endemic. Updated data on prevalence and distribution have been summarized from presentations in the "96 Years of Opisthorchiasis. International Congress of Liver Flukes". It is disturbing that despite treatment and control programs have been in place for decades, all countries of the Lower Mekong Basin are still highly endemic with O. viverrini and/or C. sinensis as well as alarmingly high levels of CCA incidence. A common pattern that is emerging in each country is the difference in transmission of O. viverrini between lowlands which have high prevalence versus highlands which have low prevalence. This seems to be associated with wetlands, flooding patterns and human movement and settlement. A more concerted effort from all community, educational, public health and government sectors is necessary to successfully combat this fatal liver disease of the poor.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Geographical areas of the Lower Mekong Basin.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Consumption of „Koi pla” a popular raw fish dish in northeast Thailand and Lao PDR.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The prevalence of O.viverrini and C.sinensis in Asian countries. Endemicity level is defined based on prevalence of infections: low – 0 – 5%; medium- 5.1 – 15%; high – greater than 15%.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Annual prevalences of O.viverrini infection in each region in Thailand from 1957 to 2009. In the Northest, the prevalence tends to decline until 1996 but remains stable thereafter. A peaked prevalence in the north in 1996 may not entirely due to O.viverrini but mixed infection with the minute intestinal flukes which have similar egg morphology. (Data from the Ministry of Public Health).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Distribution and prevalence of O.viverrini in the Northeast Thailand (surveyed in 2009).
Figure 6
Figure 6
School-based campaign for prevention and control of opisthorchiasis in the community in the Lawa lake complex, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Community-based health education program run by village health volunteer workers in Khon Kaen, Thailand.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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