Co-infections with liver fluke and Helicobacter species: A paradigm change in pathogenesis of opisthorchiasis and cholangiocarcinoma?

Infection with the fish-borne liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a Group 1 carcinogen: definitely carcinogenic in humans. Cofactors likely contribute to bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma) caused by this infection. Here we review recent findings that address the role of liver fluke associated H . pylori in hepatobiliary disease and malignancy. We hypothesize that co-infection by O . viverrini and the bacillus Helicobacter pylori is central of liver fluke infection associated cholangiocarcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]