Shahid Y, Emman B, Abid S. Liver parasites: A global endemic and journey from infestation to intervention. World J Gastroenterol 2025; 31(1): 101360 [DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v31.i1.101360]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Shahab Abid, FACG, MBBS, PhD, Professor, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Stadium Road, P O Box 3500, Karachi 75500, Sindh, Pakistan. shahab.abid@aku.edu
Research Domain of This Article
Parasitology
Article-Type of This Article
Editorial
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Gastroenterol. Jan 7, 2025; 31(1): 101360 Published online Jan 7, 2025. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v31.i1.101360
Liver parasites: A global endemic and journey from infestation to intervention
Yumna Shahid, Bushra Emman, Shahab Abid
Yumna Shahid, Shahab Abid, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi 75500, Sindh, Pakistan
Bushra Emman, Aga Khan Medical College, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi 75500, Sindh, Pakistan
Author contributions: Shahid Y designed and wrote the manuscript and analyzed the data; Emman B performed literature searches and contributed to writing; Abid S designed, reviewed, and edited the manuscript; All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Shahab Abid, FACG, MBBS, PhD, Professor, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Stadium Road, P O Box 3500, Karachi 75500, Sindh, Pakistan. shahab.abid@aku.edu
Received: September 11, 2024 Revised: October 30, 2024 Accepted: November 8, 2024 Published online: January 7, 2025 Processing time: 88 Days and 18.1 Hours
Abstract
Parasites have coexisted with humans throughout history, forming either symbiotic relationships or causing significant morbidity and mortality. The liver is particularly vulnerable to parasitic infections, which can reside in, pass through, or be transported to the liver, leading to severe damage. This editorial explores various parasites that infect the liver, their clinical implications, and diagnostic considerations, as discussed in the article “Parasites of the liver: A global problem?”. Parasites reach the liver primarily through oral ingestion, mucosal penetration, or the bloodstream, with some larvae even penetrating the skin. Hepatic parasites such as cestodes (Echinococcus), trematodes (Clonorchis, Opisthorchis), nematodes (Ascaris), and protozoa (Entamoeba histolytica) can also cause systemic infections like visceral leishmaniasis, malaria, cryptosporidiosis, and toxoplasmosis. Chronic infections like clonorchiasis and opisthorchiasis are linked to persistent hepatobiliary inflammation, potentially progressing to cholangiocarcinoma, a fatal bile duct cancer, particularly prevalent in Southeast Asia. The global nature of liver parasite infestations is alarming, with hundreds of millions affected worldwide. However, control over treatment quality remains suboptimal. Given the significant public health threat posed by these parasites, international medical organizations must prioritize improved diagnosis, treatment, and preventive measures. Strengthening educational efforts and enhancing healthcare provider training are critical steps toward mitigating the global impact of parasitic liver diseases.
Core Tip: Liver parasites are a hidden global threat, driving severe conditions like recurrent cholangitis, cirrhosis, liver failure, and even cancer. As climate change and globalization fuel their spread, especially in Asia, Europe and Africa, timely diagnosis is often missed due to limited awareness. This editorial shines a spotlight on these overlooked infections, offering a vital guide for clinicians to better recognize and combat hepatic parasites. This is a call to action for the global hepatology community to address these rising dangers and to safeguard public health.
