Opisthorchis felineus

Opisthorchis felineus infection is endemic to Russia and occurs mainly in Siberia and the Ukraine and Kazazhstan. It lives mainly in the bile ducts, gallbladder and pancreatic ducts of mammalian hosts. The lifecycle of O. felineus is very similar to O. viverrini and C. sinensis, and its approximate size is that of O. viverrini, 7-12mm long and 1.5-3mm wide₁₁. The organism enters the human host by consumption of raw fish.

Adult O. felineus ₂

Although many case studies in the former USSR linked infection with O. felineus with maligancy, few systematic studies have been done₁₁. The case studies suggested that there was a link between O. felineus and cholangiocarcinoma. Further research will have to be done to confirm the role of this liver fluke in malignancy.

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