Relationship between prevalence and intensity of Opisthorchis viverrini infection, and clinical symptoms and signs in a rural community in north-east Thailand

Abstract

In a large village in north-east Thailand, the overall prevalence of Opisthorchis viverrini infection (based on Stoll's quantitative egg count) was 89.5% in a total population of 1651 individuals. The prevalence was 32% in children under 5 years, 90% in those aged 5-9 years, and averaged 95.6% in age groups above 10 years. The mean faecal egg output (indicative of intensity of infection) was highest in the 40-49-year age group and remained relatively constant through older ages. In all age groups the prevalence and intensity of infection in both men and women were similar.A history of eating raw freshwater fish occurred more frequently in infected persons than in those uninfected. The following symptoms occurred significantly more frequently in groups with higher intensities of infection: weakness, flatulence or dyspepsia, and abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant. Nevertheless, infected persons did not report a reduced ability to work. Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea were only weakly correlated with the intensity of infection. A palpable liver occurred more frequently in the infected groups and was correlated with intensity of infection. Icteric conjunctivae were observed in 2.2% of infected persons but not in the uninfected. Some 5-10% of the population had symptoms that were attributable to opisthorchiasis.