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 Information for Health Care Providers(Cyclospora Infection or Cyclosporiasis) Download a print version
What is Cyclospora?Cyclospora cayetanensis (SIGH-clo-SPORE-uh KYE-uh-tuh-NEN-sis) is a unicellular parasite that causes an intestinal infection called cyclosporiasis (sigh-clo-spore-EYE-us-sis). Because Cyclospora is a coccidian parasite, infected people shed oocysts (rather than cysts) in their feces.
How is Cyclospora transmitted?By ingesting infective Cyclospora oocysts (for example, in contaminated food or water). Outbreaks in the United States and Canada have been linked to various types of imported fresh produce. Cyclospora cayetanensis completes its life cycle in humans. However, the oocysts shed in the feces of infected persons must mature (sporulate) outside the host, in the environment, to become infective for someone else. Therefore, direct person-to-person (fecal-oral) transmission of Cyclospora is unlikely. However, indirect transmission can occur if an infected person contaminates the environment and oocysts have sufficient time thereafter, under favorable conditions, to become infective. The process of maturation (sporulation) is thought to require from days to weeks.
Who is at risk for Cyclospora infection?Persons of all ages are at risk for infection. Persons living or traveling in the tropics and subtropics may be at increased risk because cyclosporiasis is endemic in some developing countries. In some regions, infection appears to be seasonal. But the seasonality varies in different settings and is not well understood.
What are the symptoms of cyclosporiasis?The incubation period between acquisition of infection and onset of symptoms averages approximately 1 week (ranges from approximately 2 to 14 or more days). Cyclospora infects the small intestine and
typically causes watery diarrhea, with frequent, sometimes explosive,
stools. Other common symptoms include
Vomiting, body aches, low-grade fever, and other flu-like symptoms may be noted. If untreated, the illness may last for a few days to a month or longer, and may follow a remitting-relapsing course. Some infected persons are asymptomatic, particularly in settings where cyclosporiasis is endemic.
How is Cyclospora infection diagnosed?The most important thing for health care providers to realize about the diagnosis of Cyclospora infection is that stool specimens examined for ova and parasites usually are not examined for Cyclospora unless such testing is requested. Therefore, when evaluating persons with symptoms consistent with cyclosporiasis, specifically request testing for this parasite. If indicated, stool specimens should also be checked for other microbes that can cause a similar illness. Another important point is that Cyclospora oocysts may be shed intermittently and at low levels, even by persons with profuse diarrhea. A single negative stool specimen does not exclude the diagnosis; several specimens—that are processed and examined with sensitive methods—may be required. Additional perspective about laboratory testing is provided below.
How is cyclosporiasis treated?Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), or Bactrim*, Septra*, or Cotrim*, is the treatment of choice. The typical regimen for immunocompetent adults is TMP 160 mg plus SMX 800 mg (one double-strength tablet), orally, twice a day for 7-10 days. No highly effective alternatives have been identified for persons who are allergic to (or are intolerant of) TMP-SMX. Approaches to consider for such persons include observation and symptomatic treatment, use of an antibiotic whose effectiveness against Cyclospora is unknown or is based on limited data, or desensitization to TMP-SMX. The latter approach should be considered only for selected patients who require treatment, have been evaluated by an allergist, and do not have a life-threatening allergy. Anecdotal or unpublished data suggest that the following drugs are ineffective: albendazole, trimethoprim (when used as a single agent), azithromycin, nalidixic acid, tinidazole, metronidazole, quinacrine, tetracycline, doxycycline, and diloxanide furoate. Although data from a small study among HIV-infected patients in Haiti suggested that ciprofloxacin might have modest activity against Cyclospora, substantial anecdotal experience among many immunocompetent persons suggests that ciprofloxacin is ineffective.
How is Cyclospora infection prevented?On the basis of currently available information, avoiding food or water that might be contaminated with stool is the best way to prevent infection. Symptomatic reinfection can occur.
Additional perspective about laboratory testing for Cyclospora
For more information about these and other laboratory methods, see the Cyclosporiasis section of the DPDx website. |
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Info CDC Home | CDC Search | CDC Health Topics A-Z This page last reviewed September 15, 2008 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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