I first learned of fluke worms from
my favorite TV show The X-Files, but
they painted fluke worms in a different way than they really are. So I decided
to do a little research into what they actually are. In this blog I’m going to talk
about the liver fluke parasite that causes bile duct cancer.
The liver
fluke, or Opisthorchis viverini, is a tremadodes that infect humans who eat raw
or undercooked fish that are contaminated with the fluke mostly in Asia. Once
in the human body the fluke lodges itself in the liver’s bile duct and it feeds
and matures. It is not completely known how they cause cancer, but the accepted
theory is that the fluke secretes a protein that mimics granulin, which is the
human growth hormone. When this worm infects someone their bodies are
continuously exposed to these mimicking granulin protein and the host cells
multiply uncontrollably. This rapid growth leads to tumor growth.
Research is
being done on these flukes by using a genome assembly tool called OPERA-LG to
study the life of the fluke while it is inside the bile duct. This research has
lead to the largest parasitic worm genome studied. In furthering their research
the team hopes to find the cause and hopefully the cure for the bile duct cancer
these flukes cause.
Reference:
I had never heard of fluke worms before, they sound kind of gross and after reading how they just squirm around in your body gives me an uncomfortable feeling! Nonetheless, lets hope this research produces something that can prevent these worms from producing the bile duct cancer once they find a way in the body.
ReplyDeleteI'm still going to eat sushi. Are the tumors benign, malignant, or can it be either one?
ReplyDeleteWell good thing I don't eat fish! This just sounds disgusting. Do you know if there are any symptoms that occur for early detection of these worms? If early detection can occur, then continuous exposure to the granulin proteins will be reduced, and tumors hopefully avoided.
ReplyDeleteParasitic worms are so fascinating. I've heard of the liver fluke worms, but I never realized they had the potential to cause cancer cells to appear in its host. That's incredible! Are there any suggested cures for bile duct cancer caused by these worms?
ReplyDeleteSometimes cancer is simply bad luck. Other times it's a fluke.
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