How is Cyclospora diagnosed?
Cyclospora infection is diagnosed by examining stool specimens. Diagnosis can be difficult in part because even patients who are symptomatic might not shed enough oocysts in their stool to be readily detectable by laboratory examinations.
What is the diagnostic stage of Cyclospora cayetanensis?
Cyclosporiasis is infection with the protozoan Cyclospora cayetanensis. Symptoms include watery diarrhea with gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms. Diagnosis is by detection of characteristic oocysts in stool or intestinal biopsy specimens. Treatment is with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole.
Is there a blood test for Cyclospora?
Because there are so many possible causes of diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms, diagnosis of cyclospora infection requires a laboratory test to identify the parasite in your stool. There are no blood tests to diagnose a cyclospora infection.
What are the biological characteristics of Cyclospora?
Cyclospora measures 8.6 μm (7.7 to 9.9 μm) in diameter. When this parasite is excreted in stools, it is an undifferentiated sphere containing a morula. The oocyst has a bilayered wall. A polar body and oocyst residuum are also present.
How can babesiosis be diagnosed?
In symptomatic people, babesiosis usually is diagnosed by examining blood specimens under a microscope and seeing Babesia parasites inside red blood cells.
What antibiotics treat Cyclospora?
Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX), sold under the trade names Bactrim*, Septra*, and Cotrim*, is the usual therapy for Cyclospora infection. No highly effective alternative antibiotic regimen has been identified yet for patients who do not respond to the standard treatment or have a sulfa allergy.
What is the infective stage of Cyclospora?
3.7.2.3. People become infected with Cyclospora by ingesting sporulated oocysts, which are the infective form of the parasite. This most commonly occurs when food or water contaminated with feces is consumed. An infected person sheds immature and noninfective Cyclospora oocysts in the feces.
How is Cyclospora cayetanensis transmitted?
Transmission. People become infected with Cyclospora by consuming food or water contaminated with feces that contains the parasite. Cyclospora needs to be in the environment for about 1 to 2 weeks after being passed in stool to become infectious for another person.
What are the signs and symptoms of Cyclosporiasis?
Symptoms of cyclosporiasis may include the following:
- Watery diarrhea (most common)
- Loss of appetite.
- Weight loss.
- Cramping.
- Bloating.
- Increased gas.
- Nausea.
- Fatigue.
What is a Cyclospora infection?
Parasites – Cyclosporiasis (Cyclospora Infection) Español (Spanish) Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. People can become infected with Cyclospora by consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite.
What is Imidocarb dipropionate?
Imidocarb dipropionate (brand name Imizol®) is a drug used to treat infections caused by protozoa (single-celled organisms that sometimes cause disease). For example, it is used to treat the infection babesiosis in dogs. This infection is caused by the protozoa Babesia which is transferred to pets from tick bites.
Does azithromycin treat Cyclospora?
The consensus among many practitioners is that ciprofloxacin may not be a satisfactory treatment for cyclosporiasis. Results from small studies have not demonstrated norfloxacin, metronidazole, tinidazole, quinacrine, and azithromycin to be effective.
How is the diagnosis of Cyclospora infection made?
Cyclospora infection is diagnosed by examining stool specimens. Diagnosis can be difficult in part because even patients who are symptomatic might not shed enough oocysts in their stool to be readily detectable by laboratory examinations. Therefore, patients might need to submit several specimens collected on different days.
What do Cyclospora oocysts look like in stool?
On a modified acid-fast—stained slide of stool, Cyclospora oocysts typically are variably acid fast (i.e., in the same field, oocysts may be unstained or stain from light pink to deep red or purple). Unstained oocysts characteristically have a wrinkled (hyaline) appearance.
Can a Cyclospora infection cause prolonged diarrhea?
Health care providers should consider Cyclospora as a potential cause of prolonged diarrheal illness, particularly in patients with a history of recent travel to Cyclospora -endemic areas, such as tropical and subtropical regions. Testing for Cyclospora is not routinely conducted in most U.S. laboratories, even when stool is tested for parasites.
How big is a Cyclospora parvum in diameter?
Cyclospora oocysts are ~8–10 micrometers in diameter (in contrast, Cryptosporidium parvum/hominis oocysts are ~4–6 micrometers in diameter).