BACKGROUND: Clonochis sinensis, a kind of liver fluke, is a parasite that causes the highest infection rates in Korea. Based from the results of the 8th nationwide survey of intestinal parasites, it is estimated that one million people have been infected with C. sinensis. Chronic infection of C. sinensis causes abnormal liver function and induces cholangiocarcinoma. Therefore, it is important to accurately and rapidly diagnose clonorchiasis caused by C. sinensis infection.
METHODOLOGY/RESULTS: Among several diagnostic tools for clonorchiasis, microscopic examination is used as the standard. Although microscopic examination is accurate, its disadvantage is that it requires a well-trained professional staff and above Biosafety Level 2 laboratory to properly diagnose the infection. Accordingly, several kinds of diagnostic tools and materials have been researched and developed. We tried to identify simple strategies in order to detect this parasitic infection. In this regard, we collected relevant references related to diagnosis of clonorchiasis and compared the respective advantages and disadvantages. Moreover, we conducted various experiments to develop more effective diagnostic means. Through high throughput approaches, we identified various antigenic proteins and peptides applicable to sero-diagnostic development for clonorchiasis.
CONCLUSION: This report provides the recent methodological advances and the identification of antigens. The integration of data from specific genes, antigens, and metabolites of C. sinensis might bring important information for the development of rapid and simple diagnosis of clonorchiasis.
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