Suspected cases of cholangiocarcinoma seen in reference hospitals in Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) poses a significant public health problem in Southeast Asia, with chronic Opisthorchis viverrini infection being the main risk factor. Epidemiological data on CCA is not available for Lao People Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), though there is a high prevalence of O. viverrini infection in the country.

Subtle to severe hepatobiliary morbidity in Opisthorchis viverrini endemic settings in southern Laos.

Evidence of severe hepatobiliary morbidity associated with Opisthorchis viverrini liver fluke infection including cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is scarce in Laos although O. viverrini infection is highly prevalent. We assessed hepatobiliary morbidity using abdominal ultrasonography (US) in O.

Perceived illness drives participation in mass deworming campaigns in Laos.

Multiple helminth infections are very common in communities of southern Laos. Preventive chemotherapy in combination with health education is the mainstay of control. We assessed the knowledge, perceptions and practices of rural communities related to endemic helminthiasis and their control during a mass drug administration (MDA) campaign.

Efficacy of praziquantel against Schistosoma mekongi and Opisthorchis viverrini: a randomized, single-blinded dose-comparison trial.

Background: Schistosomiasis and opisthorchiasis are of public health importance in Southeast Asia. Praziquantel (PZQ) is the drug of choice for morbidity control but few dose comparisons have been made.

Methodology: Ninety-three schoolchildren were enrolled in an area of Lao PDR where Schistosoma mekongi and Opisthorchis viverrini coexist for a PZQ dose-comparison trial.

Low efficacy of single-dose albendazole and mebendazole against hookworm and effect on concomitant helminth infection in Lao PDR.

Background: Albendazole and mebendazole are increasingly deployed for preventive chemotherapy targeting soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections. We assessed the efficacy of single oral doses of albendazole (400 mg) and mebendazole (500 mg) for the treatment of hookworm infection in school-aged children in Lao PDR. Since Opisthorchis viverrini is co-endemic in our study setting, the effect of the two drugs could also be determined against this liver fluke.