The consequences of opisthorchiasis

Opisthorchiasis is a condition without conducting specific treatment occurring in the chronic form several years. The duration of the disease is associated with a high life expectancy of the causative agent – more than a decade, and with a high probability of re-infection in endemic foci. The indigenous inhabitants of regions with high risk of infection and visiting the disease usually occurs in different ways. In the first case the pathology has a primary chronic course, in the second the disease starts with an acute stage. The incubation period lasts 1-6 weeks.

Diseases, which are consequences of opisthorchiasis

The causative agent is opistorchis (Opisthorchis felineus) is a parasite of the class Trematoda, which settles in the ducts of the liver of a person. In the first stage of the disease the pathogen causes allergic reactions, poisoning an organism of the host with their waste products. Then, settling in the bile ducts, the parasite injures their walls, causing bleeding, multiple erosions, which causes deformation and overgrowth of the ducts. The pathogen also creates favorable conditions for secondary infection. In addition, the parasites, their eggs, mucus and dead cells can become a mechanical impediment to the normal flow of bile. The resulting stagnation of bile and the accession of infection cause inflammation of the bile ducts and gall bladder. Similar changes occur in the pancreas. Irritation of the biliary tract is the cause of disorders of the stomach, intestines and pancreas. According to statistics, the patients with opisthorchiasis, in 2-3 times more likely to turn to doctors about diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver, and three times more time at the hospital. Opisthorchiasis may leak without any symptoms and the first to emerge with its complications can also be accompanied by loss of consciousness, kidney, liver, heart, manifest in the form of bronchial asthma. In most cases, the acute illness begins after 2-4 weeks after infection. The patient noted General malaise, headache and muscle pain, increased sweating. The patient has a fever, appear chills, itchy rashes on the skin. In some cases, among the first symptoms observed damage of the liver, pains in the right hypochondrium, jaundice, there are growing signs of intoxication. In one third of patients primarily affects the respiratory system, opisthorchiasis appearsallergic bronchitis, in more severe cases of bronchial asthma. The other option – gastrointestinal – illness accompanied by fever and frequent loose stools.

Taking into account the fact that all of these symptoms can occur in patients in various combinations, it becomes clear why the diagnosis of pathology is a challenge to professionals. After the acute period, which lasts on average up to three weeks, there may be seeming recovery. For several years, the pathology can not be felt, however, in the event of adverse factors such as stress, heavy physical activity, intoxication, some systemic diseases, the disease can worsen. The consequence of opisthorchiasis in this case may be cholecystitis, pancreatitis, gastroduodenitis, enterocolitis, allergies, asthma.

Opisthorchiasis is associated with serious complications, including cirrhosis, liver cancer, cyst, liver abscess, peritonitis. Each new batch of infected fish can cause worsening of the disease, however, the opisthorchiasis is relatively benign and only in rare cases is the immediate cause of death.