COMPENDIUM ON FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE - Flipbook - Page 269
○ Lotus
○ Water bamboo
○ Other aquatic vegetables eaten raw or undercooked
Clinical Significance: Heavy infections may cause ulceration,
abscess formation, and intestinal obstruction.
Unique Features: Largest intestinal fluke affecting humans,
reaching up to 7.5 cm in length.
Clonorchis sinensis (Chinese Liver Fluke)
Prevalence: Affects an estimated 15-20 million people, primarily in
East Asia [18].
Transmission Mechanisms:
● Primary route: Consumption of raw, undercooked, or pickled
freshwater fish containing metacercariae
● Common in traditional dishes:
○ Korean raw fish (saengseonhwe)
○ Chinese raw fish dishes
○ Underfermented fish preparations
Clinical Significance: Can cause biliary inflammation, recurrent
pyogenic cholangitis, and is associated with cholangiocarcinoma.
Unique Features: Lives in the biliary tree rather than the intestinal
lumen; classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the WHO.
Common Sources of Parasitic Exposure
Understanding the primary routes of parasitic transmission can
help individuals make informed choices about preventive
strategies. Common sources include:
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