Molecular identification of Opisthorchis viverrini among the northeastern Cambodian population by internal transcribed spacer 2 based polymerase chain reaction

The southeast Asian fluke Opisthorchis viverrini remains endemic, particularly in Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Myanmar. However, there is a lack of data on the prevalence of liver fluke infection in Kratie Province in northeastern Cambodia. The present study aimed to detect O. viverrini DNA in fecal specimens by using the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The prevalence and percentage of O. viverrini infection were described by data analysis. Bivariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to look at the related prevalence of O. viverrini infection. A total of 6.89% from 377 fecal samples were found positive of O. viverrini DNA. The prevalence of O. viverrini infection was found to be higher in men (8.92%) than in women (5.45%), and to be associated more frequently with younger age groups (13.40%), illiteracy (8.74%), participation in other careers (non-specific occupations) (11.63%), and residence in the Trapaing Srae village (9.94%) of the Snuol district, Kratie Province. Age groups under 20 years old were significantly linked with O. viverrini infection, with ORadj=0.601, 95% CI=0.410-0.882, p=0.009 and significant value established at (P<0.05). This study demonstrates that O. viverrini infection is distributed in rural areas located near freshwater reservoirs. Therefore, active surveillance, clinical examination of association with hepatobiliary, cholangiocarcinoma, and health education are needed.