CLONORCHIOSIS Meaning and
Definition
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Clonorchiosis is a parasitic infection caused by the fluke Clonorchis sinensis, commonly known as the Chinese liver fluke. It is primarily found in regions of East Asia, especially China, Korea, and Vietnam.
The infection occurs when humans consume raw or undercooked freshwater fish that serve as intermediate hosts for the parasite. Once ingested, the eggs of the fluke hatch in the small intestine and release larvae that migrate to the liver through the bile ducts. There, they mature into adult worms, which lay eggs and perpetuate the life cycle.
Symptoms of clonorchiosis may vary but can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss. Chronic infections can lead to more severe complications such as liver inflammation (chronic hepatitis), hepatomegaly (enlarged liver), cholangitis (inflammation of the bile ducts), and even cholangiocarcinoma (a type of liver cancer).
Diagnosis of clonorchiosis is typically done through stool examination to identify eggs or larvae of the fluke. Treatment often involves antiparasitic medications such as praziquantel, which effectively kills the adult worms.
Prevention of clonorchiosis mainly involves proper cooking of freshwater fish and avoiding the consumption of raw or undercooked fish dishes. Public health education and proper sanitation regarding food preparation and personal hygiene are essential in endemic areas to reduce the risk of infection.
In conclusion, clonorchiosis is a parasitic infection caused by the Chinese liver fluke, most commonly found in East Asia, primarily transmitted through the consumption of raw or undercooked freshwater fish. It can cause various symptoms and even lead to severe liver complications if left untreated.
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A condition marked by invasion of the bile ducts by Clonorchis endemicus or C. sinensis.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for CLONORCHIOSIS
- clonorchisis
- xlonorchiosis
- vlonorchiosis
- flonorchiosis
- dlonorchiosis
- ckonorchiosis
- cponorchiosis
- coonorchiosis
- clinorchiosis
- clknorchiosis
- cllnorchiosis
- clpnorchiosis
- cl0norchiosis
- cl9norchiosis
- cloborchiosis
- clomorchiosis
- clojorchiosis
- clohorchiosis
- clonirchiosis
- clonkrchiosis
Etymology of CLONORCHIOSIS
The word "Clonorchiosis" has its roots in Greek and Latin.
The term "Clonorchis" comes from the Greek word "klónos", meaning "spindle", and "orkhis", meaning "testicle". This is likely due to the worm-like appearance of the parasites that caused the disease.
The suffix "-osis" in the word "Clonorchiosis" is of Latin origin and is commonly used in medical terminology to denote a disease or a pathological condition.
Therefore, the etymology of the word "Clonorchiosis" reflects the medical condition caused by the Clonorchis parasites, most commonly found in the liver and bile ducts, and is derived from the Greek and Latin languages.
