Current RMA Instruments:
| 25 of 2025 | |
|---|---|
| 26 of 2025 |
Changes from previous Instruments:
ICD Coding
- ICD-10-AM Codes: B66.1
Brief description
Clonorchiasis is a parasitic infection of the bile ducts, liver and gallbladder by a type of liver fluke (Clornorchis sinesis). It is acquired by eating raw, undercooked, picked or smoked freshwater fish contaminated with Clornorchis sinensis larvae from endemic regions (e.g. China, Korea, Russia, Taiwan and Vietnam).
Confirming the diagnosis
To establish the diagnosis, laboratory testing is often required. Microscopic detection of Clornorchis sinensis eggs in stool specimens (common) or in bile fluid collected via duodenal aspiration (invasive and uncommon). Other serological and molecular tests can also support the diagnosis- e.g an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method for detecting anti-Clornorchis sinensis antibodies in the stool, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) detection of parasite DNA in stool or bile samples.
Additional diagnoses covered by SOP
- Clonorchis sinensis infection
- Chinese Liver Fluke infection
Conditions not covered by SOP
- Opisthorchiasis*
* another SOP applies - the SOP has the same name unless otherwise specified
# non-SOP condition
Clinical onset
The clinical presentation of clonorchiasis depends on the duration of illness and host immune response. Many cases are asymptomatic, particularly in mild or early cases (within 2-4 weeks of exposure), symptoms and signs may involve right upper abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite and/or fatigue. With longer term infections, the symptoms can be more severe, and hepatomegaly (enlarged liver), persistent abdominal pain, fever, and pruritus (itchy skin) may develop. Once the diagnosis is confirmed clinical onset can be backdated to when the symptoms first presented.
Clinical worsening
The prognosis of clonorchiasis depends on the severity of the condition, duration of infection and whether complications have developed. Most people recover fully if diagnosed and treated early with antiparasitic treatment. An inability to obtain appropriate clinical management therefore can worsen this condition.