Affiliations: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine,
Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand | Resource Development International - Cambodia, Royal
Brick Road, Kean Svay, Cambodia | Department of Geography and Planning; and Center for
Southeast Asia Environment and Sustainable Development, Buffalo State, State
University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA 14222
Abstract: The genesis of this study was to document the presence of infected
freshwater snails and cyprinoid fish species that may serve as a source of
trematode infection and to assess the prevalence of trematode infection in both
snails and cyprinoid fish in the sewage treatment wetlands of Phnom Penh,
Cambodia. The field component was conducted two times a year (dry and rainy
season) from March 2007 to May 2008. Snails and cyprinoid fish samples were
obtained from four sites within the Boeng Cheung Ek wetland. Lymnaea (Radix)
auricularia rubiginosa snail was found to be infected with the trematode
cercariae of Gymnocephalus cercariae (intestinal and liver parasites in
herbivorous mammals). Among 15 species of infected fish, the metacercariae of
the liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini, was found in this study. Puntius
orphoides contained the highest number of metacercariae of O. viverrini
(374.31/kg) followed by Hampala dispar (120.33/kg), and Henicorhynchus sp.
(92.66/kg). The infection rate in both snails and fish exhibited a higher
prevalence in the dry season than the rainy season. This investigation can help
to characterize potential human health risks in the Boeng Cheung Ek wetlands of Phnom Penh.
