Current RMA Instruments:
| Reasonable Hypothesis SOP | 45 of 2016 |
| Balance of Probabilities SOP | 46 of 2016 |
Changes from previous Instruments:
ICD Coding:
- ICD-9-CM Codes: 121.0
- ICD-10-AM Codes: B66.0
Brief description
Opisthorchiasis is a parasitic infection of the bile ducts by a type of liver fluke. It is acquired by eating un- or undercooked fresh water fish from certain Asian and east European countries.
Confirming the diagnosis
The diagnosis needs to be confirmed by laboratory testing. This involves microscopic identification of eggs in stool specimens or from duodenal aspirate. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method for detecting antigen in the stool may also be used.
Additional diagnoses covered by SOP
- Nil
Conditions not covered by SOP
- Clonorchiasis*
* another SOP applies
Clinical onset
Most infections are asymptomatic. In mild cases, manifestations include dyspepsia, abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation. With infections of longer duration, the symptoms can be more severe, and hepatomegaly (enlarged liver) and malnutrition may be present. The usual incubation period is 3 to 4 weeks. Clinical onset can be based on the time of diagnosis, or backdated if relevant symptoms consistent with clinical infection have been present.
Clinical worsening
The only worsening factor is for inability to obtain appropriate clinical management.