Infectious Disease Compendium

Cyclospora cayetanensis

Microbiology

A protozoa.

Epidemiologic Risks

Drinking contaminated water and food with poo on it. More of a tropical disease, most US outbreaks associated with imported fresh produce such as basil, cilantro, lettuce, raspberries (a big one), and snow peas (PubMed).

There was a restaurant outbreak in Texas (PubMed) but the specific food wasn't identified.

The incubation period is up to 2 weeks.

It tends to be low in number, so the patient may need to submit multiple stools. It is acid-fast and they are autofluorescent, glowing under UV light.

Syndromes

Diarrhea with prolonged constitutional symptoms.

Treatment

TMP/Sulfa bid x 7 days. No alternatives for the sulfa allergic.

Notes

Last update: 10/14/18