Review
Copyright ©2008 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Apr 21, 2008; 14(15): 2297-2302
Published online Apr 21, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.2297
Opisthorchiasis in Thailand: Review and current status
Natthawut Kaewpitoon, Soraya J Kaewpitoon, Prasit Pengsaa
Natthawut Kaewpitoon, Soraya J Kaewpitoon, Research and Diagnostic Center for Parasitic Infectious Diseases, Northeastern Region (RCPNER), College of Medicine and Public Health, Ubon Rajathanee University, Warinchamrap district, Ubonratchathai province 34190, Thailand
Prasit Pengsaa, College of Medicine and Public Health, Ubon Rajathanee University, Warinchamrap district, Ubonratchathai province 34190, Thailand
Author contributions: Kaewpitoon N and Kaewpitoon SJ collected the data and wrote the paper; and Pengsaa P corrected proof.
Correspondence to: Natthawut Kaewpitoon, Research and Diagnostic Center for Parasitic Infectious Diseases, Northeastern Region (RCPNER), College of Medicine and Public Health, Ubon Rajathanee University, Warinchamrap district, Ubonratchathai province 34190, Thailand. natthawut.k@ubu.ac.th
Telephone: +66-1-45353909
Fax: +66-1-45353901
Received: December 3, 2007
Revised: January 15, 2008
Published online: April 21, 2008
Abstract

Opisthorchiasis caused by Opisthorchis viverrini (O. viverrini) remains a major public health problem in many parts of Southeast Asia including Thailand, Lao PDR, Vietnam and Cambodia. The infection is associated with a number of hepatobiliary diseases, including cholangitis, obstructive jaundice, hepatomegaly, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis and cholangiocarcinoma. The liver fluke infection was induced by eating raw or uncooked fish products that is the tradition and popular in the northeastern and northern region, particularly in rural areas of Thailand. Health education programs to prevent and control opisthorchiasis are still required in high-risk areas.

Keywords: Opisthorchis viverrini, Opisthorchiasis, Status, Thailand