Cyclosporiasis - Diagnosis and Management Summary

Pathogen: 

 • Cyclospora cayetanensis

 • Foodborne, waterbone, and soil-transmitted.

 • Obligate intracellular parasite.

 • Unsporulated cysts are spheroidal, 8-10 μm in diameter.

Epidemiology: Most frequently reported in Latin America. Egypt, sub-Saharan Africa. Indian subcontinent. Southeast Asia.

Transmission:

 • Fecal-oral transmission is the major route.

 • Direct person-to-person transmission is unlikely.

 • No evidence of transmission as zoonotic infection.

 • Humans are the only natural hosts.

Risk Factors:

 • Contaminated water food or soil

 • Poor sanitation

 • Low socioeconomic status

 • Children (age 2-4 years)

 • Immunocompromised host (HIV)

 • International travel to endemic areas

Presentation:

 • Incubation period is 2-14 days

 • Anorexia, Nausea, Flatulence, Fatigue, Abdominal cramping, Watery diarrhea, Low-grade fever, Weight loss

Diagnosis:

 • Established via stool microscopy. May not be detected by routine O&P

 • Clinical relevance of +PCR and -AFB is not clear.

Treatment:

 • TMP-SMX-DS

 • Sulfa allergy: Ciprofloxacin



By @TheIDtrivia



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