Opisthorchis felineus

• Opisthorchis felineus


  • Common Name: Cat Liver Fluke
  • Disease: Opisthorchiasis
  • Habitat: Biliary and pancreatic ducts
  • Final Host: Humans, cats, and other carnivorous mammals
  • Intermediate Hosts:
  • 1st IH: Freshwater snails (Bithynia, Cordiella)
  • 2nd IH: Freshwater fish (Cyprinidae family)
  • Diagnostic Stage: Embryonated eggs in feces
  • Infective Stage: Metacercaria
  • MOT: Ingestion of infected freshwater fish containing encysted metacercariae
  • Drug of Choice (DOC): Praziquantel, Alternative: Albendazole
• Egg Characteristics of O. felineu

  • Size: 19-30 µm × 10-20 µm
  • Features:
  • Elongated, ovoid, operculated
  • Wide operculum
  • Distinctly embryonated in feces
• Adult Characteristics of O. felineus

  • Size: 7 mm × 1.5 mm
  • Features:
  • Similar to Clonorchis sinensis but smaller
  • Different vitelline gland distribution
  • Ventral sucker smaller than oral sucker
• Opisthorchis: Clinical Manifestations

  Asymptomatic Infections

  • Most infections do not cause symptoms
  • Pathologic effects include inflammation and biliary duct obstruction

  Mild Cases

  • Dyspepsia
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation

  Chronic Cases

  • Hepatomegaly
  • Malnutrition

  Severe/Rare Cases

  • Cholangitis
  • Cholecystitis
  • Cholangiocarcinoma
  • May present an acute phase resembling Katayama fever/schistosomiasis
• Image of Opisthorchis felineus


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