Parasites and Biliary stones

Abstract
Gall stone disease remains one of the most common medical problems
leading to surgical intervention. The risk factors predisposing to gallstone
formation include obesity, diabetes mellitus, estrogen and pregnancy,
hemolytic diseases, and cirrhosis . It is important to remember that
gallstones can lead to a variety of other complications including
choledocholithiasis. About 15% of patients with gallstones have
choledocholithiasis. Stones in the common duct usually originate in the
gallbladder but may also form de novo in the bile duct. Stones from gall
bladder which migrate up to the intra-hepatic ducts leading to formation of
Hepatolithiasis.
Helminthic invasion of the human biliary tract is a prominent medical
and surgical problem especially in tropical and subtropical areas where these
parasites are endemic. Helminthic infestation may affect the liver and/or the
biliary tract either during passage of worms through these structures or
because these organs serve as their natural habitat. The parasitic infestations
affecting the biliary tract including the nematode Ascaris lumbricoides, the
trematodes Opisthorchis viverrini and felineus, Clonorchis sinensis,
Dicrocoeliasis and Fasciola hepatica, and the cestodes Echinococcus
granulosus and multilocularis, also some protozoa can cause biliary tract
disease as Cryptosporidium, and Giardiasis.