Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 3, 2026
12:05
Mass Isolation and In Vitro Cultivation of Intramolluscan Stages of the Human Blood Fluke Schistosoma Mansoni
Published on: January 14, 2018
10.0K
Hemozoin "knobs" in Opisthorchis felineus infected liver
Alexandra G Pershina1,2, Irina V Saltykova3,4, Vladimir V Ivanov5
1Siberian State Medical University, 2, Moskovsky trakt, 634050, Tomsk, Russia. allysyz@mail.ru.
Parasites & Vectors
|September 19, 2015
Summary
Hemozoin pigment from the liver fluke Opisthorchis felineus forms diagnostic "knobs" in bile ducts. These hemozoin formations can be detected using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Biochemistry
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Hemozoin is a pigment produced by blood-feeding parasites with diagnostic and therapeutic potential.
- Opisthorchis felineus infection in hamsters revealed unique hemozoin formations called bile duct ectasia or
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize hemozoin pigment produced by the liver fluke Opisthorchis felineus.
- To investigate the formation of hemozoin
Main Methods:
- Histological analysis and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of infected hamster liver.
- Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for hemozoin identification.
- High-resolution transmission electron microscopy for crystal characterization.
Main Results:
- Hemozoin crystals from O. felineus averaged 403 nm in length with a 2.0 length-to-width ratio.
- Regurgitation of hemozoin led to bile duct ectasia, observable via MRI.
- Active release of hemozoin from O. felineus was observed in vitro.
Conclusions:
- First characterization of hemozoin pigment from the liver fluke O. felineus.
- Hemozoin's role in modifying the immune response during opisthorchiasis is proposed.
