Is Opisthorchis viverrini Emerging in Cambodia?

Abstract

Opisthorchis viverrini infection is widely prevalent in Southeast Asia. In Cambodia information on this helminth infection is scare. Recent reports suggest that O. viverrini is an emerging public health problem. We aimed to synthesize all information in relation to the infection, epidemiology, and morbidity of O. viverrini in Cambodia; from published as well as thus far unpublished sources. First reports on O. viverrini date back to 1995. In 2006 an O. viverrini initiative was launched by the national helminth control program. Since then O. viverrini has been reported in all - except two - provinces. Villages with high prevalences (>20%) were found in provinces from Preah Vihear to Takeo. The infection has a highly focal distribution. In many villages no infections were detected. O. viverrini infection was also reported in cats, dogs and intermediate hosts. No report on morbidity associated with O. viverrini was found. The current evidence suggests that O. viverrini infection remains underreported in Cambodia. It is likely that the transmission will further increase in the future with potentially serious consequences for human health.

Keywords: Animal hosts; Cambodia; Liver fluke; Minute intestinal flukes; Opisthorchis viverrini; Review.