Prevalence, intensity and risk factor of Clonorchiasis and possible use of questionnaire to detect individuals at risk in northern Vietnam

• Published in: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Vol. 102; no. 12; pp. 1263 - 1268
• Main Authors: Cam, Dang Thach Thi, Yajima, Aya, Viet, Khong Nguyen, Montresor, Antonio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 15.07.2008
• ISSN: 0035-9203; 1878-3503
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trstmh.2008.06.002

In Vietnam, a high prevalence of liver flukes, Clonorchis sinensis and Opisthorchis viverrini , has been reported in a number of provinces. Essential knowledge about C. sinensis infection gained from Thailand over the past decade suggests a habit of eating raw freshwater fish as a major risk factor of the infection. However, further information to confirm such relationship is needed. In the present study 1,155 villagers in 2 communes in northern Vietnam were interviewed and their stools were examined for presence of liver flukes. The prevalence of the infection was 26% and was 3.6 times higher in males than in females. The habit of eating raw fish increased a risk of C. sinensis infection by 53-fold. This article provides evidence of a strong correlation between the intensity of C. sinensis infection and the cumulative quantity of freshwater fish consumed in lifetime and suggests that simple questionnaires could be used in endemic areas to quickly identify and treat populations at risk.