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[Clonorchis sinensis]

Clonorchis sinensis requires two intermediate hosts for completion of its life cycle.  The first is a snail and the second is cyprinoid fish (although at least eight families of fish may serve as intermediate hosts for C. sinensis).  Among the snails, over 100 species in several general may serve as the primary intermediate host.  In China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and other endemic areas, Parafossarulus manchouricus is the most common snail host.  Other genera include Bithynia, Tarebia, Alocinma and Bulimus.

A	B

A: Shells of Parafossarulus manchouricus, the most common snail host of C. sinensis in endemic areas in southeast Asia.  Image courtesy of the Web Atlas of Medical Parasitology and the Korean Society for Parasitology.
B: Bithynia sp., another common intermediate host of C. sinensis.  Image courtesy of Michal Maňas.