Foodborne zoonotic parasites of the family Opisthorchiidae

Several foodborne zoonotic trematodes of the family Opisthorchiidae have been reported to infect people, specifically two genera, Clonorchis and Opisthorchis. Three species Clonorchis sinensis, Opisthorchis felineus and Opisthorchis viverrini are the most extensivley studied of the Opisthorchiidae. At least 680 million people worldwide are at risk of infection of these liver flukes through the consumption of raw or partially cooked freshwater cyprinid fish. An estimated 45 million people in Europe and Asia are currently infected with these liver flukes. Of these, the 35 million are infected with C. sinensis mainly in China, 10 million with O. viverrini in Southeast Asia, and 1.2 million with O. felineus in Eastern Europe and Russia. These liver flukes have been proven to be causative agents of bile duct cancer or cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). A multidisciplinary program should be implemented involving comprehensive research on molecular genetics, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, as well as educational and control programs should progressively be introduced and applied in endemic regions of O. viverrini, O. felineus and C. sinensis throughout their ranges, hence, opisthorchiasis and clonorchiasis free communities can be realised globally. •Opisthorchiidae consists of a large number of foodborne trematodes.•Genus Opisthorchis and Clonorchis are medically important liver flukes distributed in Eurasia.•These flukes play significant roles in the onset and development of bile duct cancer.•Prevention and control of these foodborne trematodes are critically important to public health and well-being.