<i>Opisthorchis felineus</i> Infection and Harmful Metals Bio-Concentration: A Pilot Study in Hamster Model

Abstract

Nowadays, the question about the negative impacts of liver fluke on the host organism and mechanisms of this damage is open. The bio-concentration of some heavy and toxic metals in tissue of adult forms of Opisthorchis felineus and its accumulation in liver tissue and cardiac muscle in the Syrian Golden Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) model was analyzed. It is outlined, that Opisthorchis felineus infection leads to accumulating aluminum in a liver tissue of the host. It was also found, that adult fluke bio-concentrates iron and aluminum in their tissue. The shortage of such essential elements as Mn, Zn and Сu in infected organism is discussed.