Occurrence of Opisthorchis spp. infection in liver of pigs: An abattoir survey

Opisthorchiasis is a major public health problem in South East Asian countries. Fish eating mammals such as humans, dogs, cat, pigs, minks and civets act as definitive host, catching infection mainly through consumption of raw/undercooked freshwater fish. During the study period, 100 liver samples were collected from pigs slaughtered in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. The samples were fixed in 10% buffered neutral formalin and processed for histopathological examination. In 4 cases, out of 100 liver samples, Opisthorchis spp. were detected from thickened and dilated bile ducts. On microscopic examination of parasite, the testes were found lobed, located posterior to the irregularly lobed ovary and coiled uterus was found between the ovary and ventral sucker. The parasite was identified as O. noverca. Histopathological examination revealed cholangiohepatitis, cholangiofibrosis, intestinal metaplasia of biliary epithelium and infiltration of mononuclear cells, eosinophils and mast cells. Being a neglected zoonotic parasitic infection, in areas near river and where habit of eating/feeding raw/undercooked fish, its occurrence should be monitored regularly for implementation of appropriate anti-parasitic therapy and control measures.