Clinical Information

Cyclospora cayetanensis is an apicomplexan protozoan parasite that causes watery diarrhea, anorexia, malaise, and weight loss.(1) The extent of symptoms depends on the age and health of the host and the infectious dose of oocysts. The infection is usually self-limited, but symptoms can be severe and prolonged, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Cyclosporal diarrheal disease is endemic in many parts of the world, including parts of Asia, India, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. Although most cases of cyclosporiasis have been seen in travelers to developing countries, outbreaks in the United States are now seen each year associated with contaminated fruits and vegetables from Latin America. Transmission is via ingestion of fecally contaminated food or water. If untreated, symptoms may last for several weeks and may follow a relapsing course. The infection usually responds to treatment with a sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim drug combination.

C cayetanensis oocysts are traditionally detected by modified acid-fast staining in which the oocysts stain bright pink red.(1,2) However, the modified safranin stain has been shown to provide increased sensitivity over the modified acid-fast method and produces a more rapid result. It is the method used in the Mayo Clinic Parasitology Laboratory to detect C cayetanensis oocysts in fecal sediment.

For more information about diagnostic tests that may be of value in evaluating patients with diarrhea see the following:

-Laboratory Testing for Infectious Causes of Diarrhea

-Parasitic Investigation of Stool Specimens Algorithm