CLONORCHIS INFECTION

Overview and Facts

Clonorchis infection is caused by the liver fluke parasite clonorchis, which people may contract by consuming uncooked or raw fish from places where the parasite is present. Clonorchis, widespread throughout Asia, is also called the Oriental or Chinese liver fluke. Human liver flukes invade the bile duct, gallbladder, and liver. Although most infected people have no symptoms, long-term infections may cause severe symptoms and serious diseases. 

Moreover, the swelling of the ducts and gallbladder induced by the parasite has been linked to the bile duct and liver malignancies, particularly cholangiocarcinoma, in places where liver flukes are widespread. An individual could have numerous long-standing uncontrolled liver fluke infections. Clonorchis infection is among the risk factors for cholangiocarcinoma.

Types and Symptoms

SYMPTOMS

The majority of affected people with clonorchis infection show no symptoms. Signs in milder instances could include:

  • Nausea
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Indigestion

Most symptoms and signs are caused by swelling and occasional bile duct blockage. When left untreated, the illness might last up to 3 decades, the parasite’s life cycle. A swollen liver and malnutrition could arise in long-term conditions.

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

The only approach to identify clonorchis infection is to examine ova and parasite feces for liver fluke eggs. To detect the eggs, more than one stool sample could be required. Clonorchis eggs seem identical to opisthorchiasis eggs. However, they may be differentiated by microscopic traits. Stool testing is uncommon to diagnose people whose sole interaction with clonorchis occurred more than twenty-five to thirty years ago since the liver fluke should be active to develop eggs.

In addition, cysts carrying the parasites may also be discovered by CT, MRI, CT, or ultrasound. Checking for clonorchis in the blood is irrelevant to clinical outcomes, and there is no blood test to diagnose infections. There isn’t a test available to identify whether liver fluke infections are the root problem of cholangiocarcinoma or other gallbladder, bile duct, or hepatic disorders due to the lack of liver fluke discovery.

TREATMENT

The medications of choice for treating clonorchis infection are albendazole or praziquantel.

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