High prevalence of opisthorchiasis in rural populations from Khammouane Province, central Lao PDR: serological screening using total IgG- and IgG4-based ELISA

Background: Human opisthorchiasis, caused by Opisthorchis viverrini, is a public health problem in Southeast Asia and a major risk factor for cholangiocarcinoma. In Lao PDR, seroprevalence and the relationship between the number of O. viverrini eggs in infected people and specific antibody responses are still unknown. We evaluated and compared parasitological and serological screening methods in the community in an endemic area of opisthorchiasis in Lao PDR. Methods: Seroprevalence of O. viverrini-specific total IgG and IgG4 antibodies and their relationships with O. viverrini egg intensities were evaluated in Khammouane Province, central Lao PDR, using ELISA and a modified formalin ethyl-acetate concentration technique (FECT). Results: FECT stool examination revealed O. viverrini eggs in 70.3% (90/128) of individuals (95% CI 61.6 to 78.1%) while ELISA (based on total IgG and on IgG4 antibodies to O. viverrini) found 98.4% (95% CI 94.5 to 99.8%) and 89.8% (95% CI 83.3 to 94.5%) of sera, respectively. There was a positive and significant correlation between numbers of O. viverrini eggs per gram and levels of both IgG (R-2=0.168, p<0.001) and IgG4 (R-2=0.219, p<0.001) antibodies. Conclusions: A high prevalence of human opisthorchiasis in Lao PDR was found using a new platform, serological screening in the community. This points to a need for sustainable control of this liver fluke infection.