What are the risks associated with a positive liver fluke antibody test?
Disease description:
The child previously had clonorchiasis (liver fluke infection), which has now resolved for half a month. A recent test still shows positive liver fluke antibodies. Does this pose any health risks?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Huang Wenxiang
A positive liver fluke antibody test generally poses no significant health risk if treated promptly. If there are no clinical symptoms and the positive result is detected only during serum testing, it merely indicates a past infection that has since resolved. However, specific antibodies may still persist in the body and do not require immediate treatment.
Conversely, if the liver fluke antibody test is positive *and* parasite eggs are found in the stool, delayed treatment can lead to progressive egg accumulation, potentially causing biliary obstruction. This may further trigger cholangitis, gallstones, and even cirrhosis.
