How are cats infected with opisthorchiasis? - briefly
Cats become infected with opisthorchiasis by consuming raw or undercooked fish contaminated with the larvae of the Opisthorchis felineus parasite.
How are cats infected with opisthorchiasis? - in detail
Cats become infected with opisthorchiasis primarily through the ingestion of raw or undercooked freshwater fish that are infected with the parasitic larvae of Opisthorchis felineus or related species. These larvae, known as metacercariae, are encysted in the muscle tissue of the fish. When a cat consumes infected fish, the metacercariae are released in the cat’s digestive system, where they migrate to the bile ducts and liver. There, they mature into adult flukes, which can live and reproduce for years. The adult flukes lay eggs that are excreted in the cat’s feces, completing the lifecycle if they reach freshwater and infect snails, which then release cercariae that infect fish. Cats are particularly susceptible because their natural hunting behavior often leads them to catch and eat fish from rivers or lakes. Additionally, feeding cats raw or improperly prepared fish from endemic regions significantly increases the risk of infection. Poor sanitation and the presence of infected intermediate hosts in the environment further contribute to the spread of this parasitic disease.