Clinical Manifestations of Opisthorchis Viverrini Infections in Thailand

Abstract

SummaryClinical and biochemical findings on 921 persons harboring Opisthorchis viverrini were compared with similar data from 191 persons free of infection, all examinees being from northeastern Thailand. Edema, anemia, diarrhea, dysentery, nausea, flatulence, malaise, anorexia and hepatomegaly were found no more frequently in the infected than in the non-infected group. No significant differences were noted in WBC (neutrophil or lymphocyte) counts, or in hematocrit or hemoglobin. There were no significant differences in any of the following liver function tests: total protein, albumin, globulin, zinc turbidity, bilirubin, cholesterol and esters, thymol turbidity, alkaline phosphatase or the transaminases (SGOT and SGPT). Statistically significant higher abnormal results were correlated with infection by O. viverrini only in the cases of dizziness, slight jaundice and eosinophilia in the central-count range. These data indicate that infection with O. viverrini in northeastern Thailand does not elicit specific symptoms or conditions by which infected individuals may be differentiated from non-infected controls living under identical conditions.