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Cyclosporiasis
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Cyclosporiasis

Contributors: Ramzy Husam Rimawi MD, Ricardo M. La Hoz MD, James H. Willig MD, MSPH
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Cyclosporiasis, an infection caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis, has been recognized as a food- and waterborne parasitic cause of diarrheal illness in children and adults since 1979. It typically occurs among patients with HIV infection, individuals with low socioeconomic status or those exposed to poor sanitation, and travelers exposed to contaminated water, food, or soil.

Epidemiology / Geography:
Cyclospora cayetanensis can be found worldwide, most commonly in Latin American, India, sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia. Reported cases have also been described in Canada, the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean due to global travel, rapid fresh food importing, and increased fresh food consumption.

Exposures:
The United States has witnessed several outbreaks since the mid-1990s. These have been traced to various types of imported fresh produce including contaminated raspberries, basil, snow peas, sugar snap peas, bagged salad mix, green onions, and cilantro. Although humans are the only known natural host, direct person-to-person transmission is not likely. Infections typically occur during rainy seasons; however, variable seasonal effects can be observed.

Predisposing Medical History:
Children 10-15 years old, elderly individuals, and immunocompromised hosts typically develop more severe clinical symptoms. Sex, race, or ethnicity has not been proven to have an impact on incidence.

Microbiology:
Cyclospora cayetanensis is an obligate intracellular parasite that is highly resistant to disinfectants commonly used in food and water processing. Oocysts are passed in the feces and shed in a noninfective form, requiring several days before they become infectious. A low infectious dose (10-100 organisms) may be sufficient for infection. When contaminated food or water is ingested, the sporozoites exit the oocyst to infect the jejunum and duodenal epithelial cells. Replication occurs, and the oocysts are excreted back into the environment as unsporulated oocysts to mature (sporulate) outside in the host.

Signs / Symptoms:
  • Typical – Nondysentery cyclical diarrhea, anorexia, nausea, flatulence, fatigue, weight loss, and low-grade fevers occur about 7 days following ingestion of the offending agent. Gastrointestinal symptoms may be preceded by a flu-like prodrome. If untreated, the illness may last more than a month in a cyclical, relapsing pattern. Milder disease with shorter duration or asymptomatic infections can occur if infected in endemic areas.
  • Variants – Intermittent diarrhea and abdominal cramping may last weeks to months. Acalculous cholecystitis has been described in an HIV-infected patient. Reactive arthritis (formerly known as Reiter's syndrome) has also been reported.
Fatalities are rare in patients with cyclosporiasis.

Codes

ICD10CM:
A07.4 – Cyclosporiasis

SNOMEDCT:
240372001 – Cyclosporiasis

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Last Updated:03/03/2024
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Cyclosporiasis
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A medical illustration showing key findings of Cyclosporiasis : Fatigue, Nausea, Abdominal cramp, Contaminated food exposure, Contaminated drinking water exposure, Anorexia, Myalgia, Flatulence, Watery diarrhea
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.