Exploring the potential role of Opisthorchis felineus infection in cholangiocarcinogenesis.

We report a case of opisthorchiasis in a 71-year-old woman with intermittent upper abdominal pain, whose cause had remained unclear for a long time. She grew up in Kazakhstan and moved to Germany more than 30 years ago. After positive serological testing for Opisthorchis during a recent visit to her home country, she presented at our clinic for further evaluation. Stool examination confirmed the presence of Opisthorchis eggs. The symptoms quickly resolved after treatment with praziquantel. Abdominal sonography revealed adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder fundus and multiple gallbladder polyps, most likely a consequence of chronic inflammation caused by the parasite. Sonographic surveillance was recommended with regard to a potentially increased risk of cholangiocarcinoma. No certified serological test for opisthorchiasis is available in Germany and molecular or antigen-based tests for this infection are also largely unavailable. Diagnosis therefore has to rely on stool microscopy which requires the examination of multiple samples to ensure adequate sensitivity. Diagnosis is further complicated as symptoms are often nonspecific and liver flukes are usually not among the initial differential diagnoses. Missing the diagnosis, however, carries the risk of serious complications. Global travel and migration as well as recent autochthonous cases in the European Union underscore the need for increased vigilance for opisthorchiasis even in non-endemic areas.

BACKGROUND: Opisthorchis viverrini (OV) infection remains a major public health issue in the Mekong Basin and a leading cause of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). This study identified determinants of OV/CCA preventive behaviors in Champasak Province, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), using the theory of planned behavior and social support. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2025 among 577 residents aged ≥20 years in one city and nine districts of Champasak Province, southern Lao PDR. Participants were selected using multi-stage random sampling. Data were obtained through a validated structured questionnaire covering demographics, knowledge, perceived behavioral control, social support, and preventive behaviors. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple linear regression at a significance level of P < 0.05. RESULTS: Overall, 40.21% of participants had low knowledge, while 81.28% reported moderate preventive behaviors. Preventive behaviors were positively correlated with education, knowledge, perceived behavioral control, and social support, but negatively with age. Regression analysis showed that social support (β =0.36, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.28–0.44, P < 0.001), knowledge (β =0.21, 95% CI: 0.12–0.30, P < 0.001), and perceived behavioral control (β =0.18, 95% CI: 0.10–0.26, P < 0.001) were significant predictors. The final model explained 26.00% of the variance in preventive behaviors (adjusted R ² =0.26, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Social support, knowledge, and perceived behavioral control significantly influence preventive behaviors against OV/CCA. Strengthening community engagement and behavioral self-efficacy may improve long-term prevention outcomes.

Acute to chronic liver macrophage response in Syrian hamsters infected with the liver fluke Opisthorchis felineus.

Liver flukes (Opisthorchis viverrine, OV) infections in water sources continue to persist in Sakon Nakhon Province, which is linked to the Mekong River. The agency's traditional infection data comprises the locations of infected water sources. However, this data is insufficient for developing a predictive model for infections within the sub-basin. When analyzed alongside independent variables, represented as identical points, it lacks the necessary information to generate a trend line that produces a reliable coefficient. This study implemented a spatial model that integrates a geographic-weighted regression (GWR) framework with appropriate weighting as a prototype. This approach improves the selection of independent variables by shifting from a point-based methodology to a weighted hexagonal grid. A set of eight independent variables land use, soil drainage, road network, water sources, streamlines, surface temperature, NDMI (Normalized Difference Moisture Index), and NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) was initially weighted. This study developed three linear models based on the Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) model. It demonstrates the advantages of utilizing a hexagonal grid instead of a point grid. The three alternative models were tested with various independent variables and employed a factor-by-factor averaging approach, which necessitates the hexagonal grid size as a counterweight to ensure fairness across the entire grid, rather than relying solely on point data. A mathematical model was developed to calculate the average of each factor in order to achieve equality across a hexagonal grid area. Subsequently, the correlation was tested, and the alternative models were grouped. The resulting dendrogram includes three models. The results of the GWR comparison test were derived from both infected and hexagonal water source data. Models constructed from hexagonal grids consistently outperformed all alternative models, with R2 values improving to 58.7%, 41.1%, and 53.2% for Model-1, Model-2, and Model-3, respectively. The RMSE also showed significant improvement, decreasing to 77.1%, 60.2%, and 67.2%. Additionally, the model's accuracy was evaluated using AUC values of 0.725, 0.652, and 0.707, indicating that the developed model can effectively predict water source infections. Model-1 emerged as the most representative across all tests, incorporating soil drainage factors and road proximity as key influences on water source infection. Finally, the results are presented as infection prediction maps for each grid, highlighting areas of both overestimation and underestimation. The most accurate prediction model identified that over 95% of grids had a high degree of accuracy. This study is anticipated to be applicable to infections caused by other water-mediated parasites.

Anti-inflammatory effects of valdecoxib found in Clonorchis sinensis excretory/secretory products in an Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Biliary Disorders in Horses.

High-resolution climate modelling of fasciolosis risk in Australia: A One Health early-warning framework

BackgroundBiosecurity practices mitigate disease risk on farms; however, adoption and consistent implementation remain variable across farmers. Improved communication of biosecurity information could increase uptake, reduce disease incidence and improve productivity, profitability and animal welfare.MethodsThis project developed a framework leveraging large language models (LLMs) to transform complex biosecurity guidance into accessible information for livestock farmers. The system condenses expert advice from publicly available UK government and veterinary advisory sources to generate more accessible summaries on a purpose‐built platform. Initial implementation targets three UK livestock health challenges for cattle and sheep farmers with the purpose of demonstrating a proof of concept: sheep scab, liver fluke and Johne's disease.ResultsBitesize Biosecurity provides a centralised repository where farmers can access evidence‐based recommendations without navigating complex literature or multiple websites. The system maintains scientific integrity while presenting guidance in practical, actionable formats.LimitationsThe effectiveness of the framework depends on the quality and availability of source materials. In this study, implementation was limited to three diseases and the UK context, with system performance reliant on LLM accuracy in content transformation process and summary generation.ConclusionThis tool addresses critical gaps in agricultural communication by streamlining knowledge transfer between research institutions and practitioners. The scalable architecture enables expansion to additional diseases, farm types and regions, with the potential to transform biosecurity information communication across the agricultural sector.

The liver flukes Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica cause fasciolosis, a zoonotic disease of major health and livestock importance. To evade host immunity, these parasites secrete immunomodulatory molecules, including fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs), which are essential for parasite survival by mediating fatty acid uptake and transport, and by exerting anti-inflammatory effects that promote immune evasion and chronic infection. This study investigates the roles of F.hepatica FABPs' in nutrient acquisition, immune modulation, and parasite survival, assessing their potential as vaccine, diagnostic, and therapeutic targets. We cloned all seven FhFABP isoforms and expressed six recombinantly in yeast. Gene expression analysis showed stage-specific patterns, with the highest levels in adult flukes. Isoform-specific analysis further highlighted stage-dependent expression dynamics, and functional characterization revealed distinct fatty acid-binding properties, suggesting adaptive roles in parasite survival. We assessed IgG responses in infected sheep, finding peak titer against FhFABP5 at 6-8weeks post-infection (WPI) and a strong, prolonged response to FhFABP4, lasting 6-12weeks. These results highlight FhFABPs as immunogenic targets for diagnostics or vaccines. Additionally, FhFABPs differentially modulated the activity of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Our findings emphasize the multifaceted roles of FhFABPs in nutrient acquisition and immune modulation, underscoring their potential as targets for vaccines, diagnostics, and anti-inflammatory therapies.

Saposin-like protein 2 (SAP2) exhibits strong immunogenicity as an antigen for immunodiagnosis in ruminant and human fasciolosis. Most available immunodiagnostic test kits are based on polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against antigens from Fasciola spp. Previous studies demonstrated that polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against SAP2 showed high specificity and could effectively detect Fasciola spp. infections at an early stage. However, polyclonal antibodies are extremely difficult to produce, and quality control is not possible during production; the procedure also involves considerable financial investment. To overcome these problems, we developed a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) to control quality in each production cycle and reduce the cost of manufacturing immunodiagnostic kits. Our objectives were to produce and characterize an scFv that binds the SAP2 from the liver fluke Fasciola gigantica. We constructed the scFv by genetic engineering: we cloned immunoglobulin genes and linked them with flexible polypeptide linkers composed of repeating glycine and serine residues. We selected an scFv with high affinity for binding SAP2 using the phage-display technique and produced it using a prokaryotic expression system. The scFv was characterized via in silico and in vitro methods to confirm its specificity for SAP2, including IMGT/V-QUEST, IMGT/Collier-de-Perles, HADDOCK 2.4, ELISA, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry. The scFv was successfully produced and purified using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. The purified scFvFgSAP2 was approximately 27 kDa, as confirmed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblot analysis. An indirect ELISA and immunoblotting indicated that scFvFgSAP2 had strong reactivity with F. gigantica compared to other parasite species. Moreover, immunolocalization of scFvFgSAP2 confirmed that it binds specifically to natural SAP2 in the cecal epithelium cells of F. gigantica. Therefore, this scFv targeting SAP2 is an effective material and can be used to develop immunodiagnostic procedures.

ABSTRACT Background Fascioliasis is a zoonotic trematode infection caused by members of the genus Fasciola ( F. hepatica and F. gigantica ) that localize to the hepatic biliary ducts in humans. Parasites are acquired after ingestion of freshwater plants, and fascioliasis has been reported on every inhabited continent. Typically, fascioliasis is diagnosed by serology or stool examination. This case reports the unusual finding of adult Fasciola organisms during an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Case Summary A 65-year-old woman who returned to the United States after traveling in Vietnam presented with abdominal pain, eosinophilia, and cholangitis. Filling defects/debris were detected in the common bile duct (CBD) upon imaging studies, so an ERCP was performed to investigate further. During the procedure, between three and four adult flukes were recovered from the biliary ducts and were later identified as Fasciola at a reference laboratory. Conclusion The recovery of intact Fasciola during a surgical procedure is a highly unusual finding. It is crucial to accurately identify these organisms as there are numerous different species of liver flukes. Some flukes may resemble Fasciola at the egg or adult stage, such as Fasciolopsis buski . The treatment of Fasciola differs from that of all other liver flukes, as it is resistant to praziquantel and must be treated with triclabendazole, and improper treatment can lead to chronic complications.

In recent decades, there has been a significant increase in the prevalence of the rumen fluke Calicophoron daubneyi across large parts of Europe. German cow-calf operators are concerned about the significance of C. daubneyi as a probable cause of poor productivity in view of the high prevalence in German suckler cow herds. Therefore, we conducted a study on a Charolais suckler cow farm aiming to investigate the impact of rumen fluke infection on net weight gain of prime beef cattle. Inspections of reticulorumens of 73 slaughtered cattle for adult rumen flukes revealed a frequency of 42.5% infected cattle. The statistical analysis of the net weight gains of rumen fluke-infected and non-infected cattle showed no difference in heifers (480g vs. 469g, P=0.38) or young bulls (717g vs. 743g, P=0.53). Backward selection analysis with sex, selenium supply, grazing seasons, and liver fluke and gastrointestinal strongyle infection status as cofactors showed that weight gains of both infected and non-infected heifers and young bulls were impacted by sex and selenium supply and thus no one-sided influence was present. Of the mean blood parameters analysed, the erythrocyte count, haematocrit, aspartate aminotransferase and phosphorus value were slightly above the reference range in both groups. It was therefore concluded that the rumen fluke infection does not affect selected biochemical and blood cell counts of young beef cattle. Post-mortem examination of the forestomachs revealed that adult flukes mainly adhered in the atrium ruminis followed by the ruminoreticular fold. The evaluation of the sedimentation technique to detect adult rumen fluke infections revealed a sensitivity of 87.1% and specificity of 92.9%. Moreover, a strong correlation (r=0.77) was found between the faecal egg count (median=3.8 epg) and fluke burden (median fluke burden=72) in the slaughtered cattle. Results of this study are suggesting that observed infection intensities in the rumen have no negative impact on weight gain in prime beef cattle.

Background: To address the significant burden of helminthiases in Thailand, this cross-sectional study compared the performance of a fecal parasite concentrator kit (FPCK) against the Kato–Katz (KK) method for diagnosing intestinal parasites in endemic populations across the Northeast and Southern regions. Methods: Stool samples were collected from 140 participants and examined for intestinal parasitic infections using both FPCK and KK methods. Results: The FPCK method demonstrated a significantly higher detection rate of 45.0% compared to 35.0% for the KK method. For detecting liver fluke (Opisthorchis viverrini), the FPCK method detected significantly more cases than the KK method (10.71% vs. 4.29%) (p = 0.0027). For other parasites such as Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis, and Entamoeba coli, the FPCK method tended to detect more infections, but the differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The FPCK method showed better performance than the KK method for detecting intestinal helminth infections in stool samples, particularly O. viverrini, T. trichiura, S. stercoralis, and Entamoeba coli. Therefore, FPCK could be used as a suitable stool examination method for surveillance and monitoring of preventive treatment for opisthorchiasis.

BACKGROUND: The ability of native hemozoin isolated from O. felineus to alter the cytokine profile of cells can be used to correct conditions associated with T2 polarization of the immune response, which primarily include atopic diseases, including allergic bronchial asthma. AIMS: To evaluate the immunogenic effect of O. felineus hemozoin against diseases with T2 polarization of the immune response in a dendritic cell model. METHODS: A cross-sectional, open-label case-control study included adolescents aged 12 to 18 years living in Tomsk and the Tomsk region, patients with bronchial asthma and established sensitization to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergens, and children without established atopic disease and without registered helminth infestation. Evaluation of the presence of dendritic cell maturation markers CD86, CD83, CD40 after stimulation with D. pteronyssinus antigen and D. pteronyssinus antigen in combination with O. felineus hemozoin was performed using flow cytometry. A simultaneous study of cytokine production in the cell supernatant during co-cultivation with T cells was conducted and the levels of IFNy and IL-4 cytokines were determined using a multiplex analysis method. RESULTS: When analyzing the immunophenotypic characteristics of DC in the bronchial asthma group, it was found that the content of CD86, CD83, and CD40 was higher after stimulation of DC with both Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and hemozoin. In the group of BA patients, lower levels of IL-4 were recorded with stimulation with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and hemozoin than with stimulation with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus alone . Regarding INFy, stimulation of DC with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and hemozoin in the BA group was associated with higher levels of the cytokine. However, stimulation of DC in BA patients with only an allergen did not lead to changes in INFy production. CONCLUSIONS: The results of a study using a DC model of children with allergic asthma demonstrate that exposure to hemozoin from the liver fluke Opistorchis felineus is associated with a decrease in IL-4 production (a T2 immune response) and an increase in INFy production (a non-T2 immune response) by these cells. Hemozoin is likely an immunogenic excretory product of the helminth, capable of influencing the polarization of the immune response.

At their southern range limits in North America, moose (Alces alces) experience increased overlap with white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and associated parasites through shared habitat use. Moose persist at low densities in New York state, USA, and are incidental hosts to multiple pathogenic endoparasites. Understanding the contributions of endoparasitism to moose morbidity and mortality requires investigation into their health status and drivers of parasite infection. We summarized health data from 60 live-captured and 191 opportunistically necropsied moose (spanning 2000-23) and used generalized linear modeling to assess the determinants of moose infection by giant liver fluke (Fascioloides magna) and meningeal worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis). Despite 98% of live moose having good or excellent body condition, 75% were potentially infected with at least one internal parasite species. Hematologic analyses of live moose indicated elevated eosinophil and lymphocyte counts. Infestations with winter tick (Dermacentor albipictus) were common on live-captured New York moose (74%), although intensities were considerably lower than on moose in neighboring states. Necropsied moose were commonly infected with F. magna and P. tenuis, but most often succumbed to trauma from vehicle collisions. Density of white-tailed deer, definitive host to both endoparasites, was the primary driver of P. tenuis infection in moose. For F. magna, moose age and sampling year were positively associated, whereas deer density and road density were negatively associated with moose infection probability. Limiting deer densities in core moose areas may help reduce the risk of P. tenuis infection, and targeted management efforts could promote resilience of small moose populations to multiple parasites.

Fasciola hepatica (liver fluke) imposes major productivity and welfare costs on ruminant systems and is increasing in temperate regions such as the UK. In the absence of vaccines, control on sheep farms remains heavily dependent on flukicides, particularly triclabendazole (TCBZ), despite widespread reports of reduced efficacy and resistance. Thus, understanding how farmers perceive and manage fasciolosis risk is critical to improving sustainable control. Between October 2023 and October 2024, semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with farmers from 16 sheep farms across Wales, U.K. purposively recruited through farmer networks and social media. Interviews (mean length 52 min) were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using an inductive thematic approach. Despite heterogeneous farm types, farmers described fasciolosis as a "high stakes, low certainty" problem characterised by diagnostic ambiguity, limited confidence in test results, and difficulty distinguishing fluke impacts from other causes of ill-thrift. This uncertainty promoted risk-averse practises, with flukicide use functioning as "treatment as agency" and as habitual "insurance", often substituting for diagnostics due to cost, logistics, and turnaround time. Concerns about TCBZ resistance added further complexity but tended to influence behaviour after perceived treatment failure. A third theme, "making it fit", highlighted how control strategies were shaped by farm-specific geography, labour constraints, economics, and variable access to trusted veterinary support, limiting uptake of non-chemical measures and targeted treatment. Sheep farmers manage fasciolosis through pragmatic, risk-averse reliance on flukicides in the face of perceived diagnostic and advisory limitations. Interventions that improve practical access to reliable diagnostics, farm-specific risk profiling, and trusted, implementable guidance may reduce prophylactic treatment and support greater integration of non-chemical control, helping to mitigate flukicide resistance and improve sustainable fasciolosis management.

Chemico-pharmacological and computational evaluation of Artocarpus chaplasha; Comparative anthelmintic and cytotoxic potential between bark and seed.

Some further insights into oxfendazole broad anthelmintic spectrum: Flukicidal efficacy at a high dose in sheep.

Fasciolosis is considered a rising zoonotic infection and remains one of the main neglected tropical diseases. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of bovine fasciolosis in the Comoé province of southwest Burkina Faso. A cross-sectional study was conducted in three villages of the Comoé River in the Cascades region of Burkina Faso. A total of 100 zebu cattle (Bos indicus), aged between 6 and 24 months and of both sexes (excluding pregnant animals), from nine farms across three villages were randomly selected and sampled. The presence or absence of Fasciola spp. eggs in relation to the animals’ sex and origin were evaluated in the selected samples. Fecal samples were collected from each bovine rectum in a tight plastic bag, kept at +4°C, and transferred to the laboratory of the International Research and Development Center on Livestock Farming in Sub-humid Areas (CIRDES) based in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, for subsequent analysis. Fasciola spp. eggs were detected in fecal samples using the Malan and Visser fecal egg counting method. The present study was conducted through a systematic examination of 4,992 bovine livers (including zebu and crossbred animals, both sexes, aged 2-4 years) collected over one year at the abattoir in Banfora, the capital of Comoé Province, Burkina Faso. At the slaughterhouse, the liver flukes were identified by size and morphology. According to the results, 40% of the fecal samples were positive for Fasciola spp. infection. There was no statistically significant difference between males and females. Fasciola gigantica was detected in only 3.43% of the examined livers. Fasciolosis was found to be affected by season and sex, with higher rates in the rainy season and among females at the abattoir, Burkina Faso. The current findings confirmed the endemic presence of bovine fasciolosis in Comoé Province, characterized by a high prevalence in farms (40%) and a low rate of adult Fasciola gigantica infection in slaughtered cattle livers (3.43%).