opisthorchiasis

Infection with the Asiatic liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini, or other opisthorchids.

* * *

opis·thor·chi·a·sis ə-.pis-.thȯr-'kī-ə-səs n infestation with or disease caused by liver flukes of the genus Opisthorchis

* * *

n.

a condition caused by the presence of the parasitic fluke Opisthorchis in the bile ducts. The infection is acquired through eating raw or undercooked fish that contains the larval stage of the parasite. Heavy infections can lead to considerable damage of the tissues of the bile duct and liver, progressing in advanced cases to cirrhosis. Symptoms may include loss of weight, abdominal pain, indigestion, and sometimes diarrhoea. The disease, occurring in E Europe and the Far East, is treated with chloroquine.

* * *

opis·thor·chi·a·sis (o″pis-thor-kiґə-sis) infection of the biliary tract by liver flukes of the genus Opisthorchis. In heavy infections there is local injury to the distal bile capillaries and surrounding liver tissue; this may ultimately develop into cirrhosis of the liver with areas of necrosis and fatty degeneration. See also clonorchiasis. Called also opisthorchosis.