Cyclosporiasis (patient information)
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Overview
What are the symptoms of Cyclosporiasis?
Symptoms of cyclosporiasis start approximately 7 days following ingestion of water and food contaminated with sporulated oocysts. The most common symptom is watery diarrhea. Other symptoms include loss of appetite, cramping, flatulence, fatigue, low-grade fever, nausea and vomiting.
What causes Cyclosporiasis?
Cyclospora cayetanensis has been only recently identified as a single-celled coccidian parasite. It has been linked in the United States from fecally-contaminated imported raspberries and was virtually unknown before about 1990, but has been on the rise since. The health risk associated with the disease is usually confined to adult foreigners visiting endemic regions and acquiring the infection: this is why Cyclospora cayetanensis has been labeled as causing traveler's diarrhea. This species was placed in the Cyclospora genus because of the spherical shape of its sporocysts. The species name refers to the Cayetano Heredia University in Lima, Peru, where early epidemiological and taxonomic work was done.
Who is at highest risk?
People of all ages are at risk for infection. Persons living or traveling in tropical or subtropical regions may be at increased risk because cyclosporiasis is endemic in some developing countries. Foodborne outbreaks of cyclosporiasis in the United States and Canada have been linked to various types of imported fresh produce.
When to seek urgent medical care?
The symptoms usually start within one week of ingestion of contaminated food and water. If left untreated, symptoms may persist for weeks and months. This infection is not life threatening and is rarely associated with complications. In case of endemic infection, people should seek medical care if watery diarrhea is noted.