Parasites, Hosts and Diseases

The Korea Society for Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (대한기생충학·열대의학회)
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Update on the risk factors for opisthorchiasis and cholangiocarcinoma in Thailand

  • Sattrachai Prasopdee (Thammasat University Research Unit in Opisthorchiasis, Cholangiocarcinoma, and Neglected Parasitic Diseases, Thammasat University) ;
  • Thittinan Rojthongpond (Chulabhorn International College of Medicine (CICM), Thammasat University) ;
  • Yanwadee Chitkoolsamphan (Chulabhorn International College of Medicine (CICM), Thammasat University) ;
  • Montinee Pholhelm (Thammasat University Research Unit in Opisthorchiasis, Cholangiocarcinoma, and Neglected Parasitic Diseases, Thammasat University) ;
  • Siraphatsorn Yusuk (Thammasat University Research Unit in Opisthorchiasis, Cholangiocarcinoma, and Neglected Parasitic Diseases, Thammasat University) ;
  • Junya Pattaraarchachai (Chulabhorn International College of Medicine (CICM), Thammasat University) ;
  • Kritiya Butthongkomvong (Medical Oncology Unit, Udonthani Cancer Hospital, Ministry of Public Health) ;
  • Jutharat Kulsantiwong (Faculty of Science, Udon Thani Rajabhat University) ;
  • Teva Phanaksri (Chulabhorn International College of Medicine (CICM), Thammasat University) ;
  • Anthicha Kunjantarachot (Chulabhorn International College of Medicine (CICM), Thammasat University) ;
  • Smarn Tesana (Thammasat University Research Unit in Opisthorchiasis, Cholangiocarcinoma, and Neglected Parasitic Diseases, Thammasat University) ;
  • Thanakrit Sathavornmanee (Chonburi Hospital, Ministry of Public Health) ;
  • Veerachai Thitapakorn (Thammasat University Research Unit in Opisthorchiasis, Cholangiocarcinoma, and Neglected Parasitic Diseases, Thammasat University)
  • Received : 2023.03.17
  • Accepted : 2023.10.02
  • Published : 2023.11.30
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Abstract

This study aimed to identify the recent risk factors for Opisthorchis viverrini infection and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) to improve disease prevention. The participants were divided into the following 3 groups based on their health status: healthy control (nonOV and nonCCA), those with O. viverrini infection (OV), and those with CCA. A questionnaire was used to explore their lifestyle and behaviors. Multivariate logistic regression and backward elimination were used to identify the significant risk factors. The results showed that the significant risk factors for both O. viverrini infection and CCA were age>50 years (odd ratio (OR)=8.44, P<0.001, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 2.98-23.90 and OR=43.47, P=0.001, 95% CI 14.71-128.45, respectively) and raw fish consumption (OR=8.48, P<0.001, 95% CI 3.18-22.63 and OR=3.15, P=0.048, 95% CI 1.01-9.86, respectively). A history of O. viverrini infection was identified as an additional risk factor for CCA (OR=20.93, P=0.011, 95% CI 2.04-215.10). This study provided an update on the risk factors for O. viverrini infection and CCA. Asymptomatic patients with O. viverrini infection, particularly those>50 years old, should be carefully monitored to prevent CCA.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

The authors thank all the patients who participated in the study and the Chulabhorn International College of Medicine (CICM) for supporting the laboratory and facilities. We would like to express our gratitude to Dr. Isara Chiawiriyabunya, who is the Director of Udonthani Cancer Hospital for the guidance and for supporting the laboratory and facilities. This study was financially supported by the Thai Government Research Fund through Thammasat University (Fund Contract No. 50/2559 and 64/2560) and was partially supported by the Thammasat University Research Unit on Opisthorchiasis, Cholangiocarcinoma, and Neglected Parasitic Diseases to V. Thitapakorn and S. Prasopdee, and the Thai Government Research Fund through Thammasat University (Fund Contract No. 36/2562) to S.Prasopdee.

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