Current status of Opisthorchis viverrini, minute intestinal fluke and Taenia spp. infections among inhabitants in the Kenethao district of northern Lao PDR.

BACKGROUND: This study reports the prevalence of Ov/minute intestinal fluke (MIF) and Taenia infections among inhabitants of the Kenethao district, northern Lao PDR. METHODS: Fecal samples from 580 inhabitants were examined using the formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique. RESULTS: The prevalence of Ov/MIF, Taenia spp. and coinfection was 45.3, 11.9 and 6.1%, respectively. There was no significant difference between males and females for Ov/MIF (p=0.813) and Taenia infection (p=0.759). The prevalence of Ov/MIF was significantly associated with age (p=0.005), but not for Taenia infection (p=0.836). Consumption of raw fish (p=0.001) and raw meat (p=0.046) was significantly associated with parasitic infections. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that Ov/MIF and Taenia spp. are highly endemic in this area and there is a need for projects to eliminate these parasites.