ABSTRACT
The human liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini, is a fishborne trematode species widely distributed in Southeast Asia (Lao PDR, Cambodia, Thailand, and southern parts of Vietnam) (Figure 74.1). This small liver fluke causes important public health problems, since chronic infection can lead to hepatobiliary diseases including cholangitis, obstructive jaundice, periductal fibrosis, and cholangiocarcinoma. The prevalence of O. viverrini infection correlates to the incidence of cholangiocarcinoma in endemic areas. 1,2 Not surprisingly, O. viverrini is now classified as a group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer. 3 It has been estimated that over 8 million Thai and 2 million Lao people are infected with O. viverrini. 4,5 Prevalence have not been determined in Cambodia or Vietnam. 6 Geographic distribution of <italic>Opisthorchis viverrini.</italic> https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-u.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781315230917/c95c355a-998c-4e0c-8b76-eb5fdfbe96d9/content/fig74_1.jpg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/>
