Cyclosporiasis

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness resulting on average 7 days after the ingestion of sporulated (requiring temperatures between 22 to 32 degrees) Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts via contaminated food or water. Direct fecal-oral transmission can not occur.

Symptoms generally involve watery diarrhea, and sometimes non- specific systemic symptoms (such as headache, low-grade fever, malaise). Malabsorption is a relatively common finding in patients with Cyclospora cayetanensis.

Detection of Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts by microscopy

• Sample type: Standard stool sample – Oocysts may be identified in stool samples, by modified Zn staining. Up to three samples may be necessary due to the intermittent excretion of this parasite.

Detection of Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts by PCR

• Sample type: Standard stool sample – The STAT-DX system may be used to determine the presence of Cyclospora cayetanensis DNA in fecal samples where appropriate. Please contact the Deparment of Clinical Parasitology for further information if you feel this is required. Please do NOT send samples in fixative for this assay.

Detection of Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts by serology

• Serology is not available for the detection of this parasite.