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Cyclospora cayetanensis infections among diarrheal patients from Venezuela
L Chacín-Bonilla1, J Estévez, F Monsalve
1Instituto de Investigaciones Clínicas, Universidad del Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela.
Insights
Cyclospora cayetanensis, a cause of diarrhea, was found in Venezuelan patients with AIDS and children. This intestinal parasite was more prevalent in children aged 2-5 years, but its exact role in causing diarrhea remains unclear.
Area of Science:
- Medical Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Cyclospora cayetanensis is an emerging enteropathogen.
- Its prevalence in immunocompromised individuals and children with diarrhea in Venezuela is not well-documented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Cyclospora cayetanensis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and children with diarrhea in Venezuela.
- To assess the potential role of C. cayetanensis as an enteropathogen in these populations.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of stool samples from 71 AIDS patients and 132 children with diarrhea.
- Modified Ziehl-Neelsen carbolfuchsin staining for Cyclospora oocyst identification.
- Examination for other intestinal parasites using iron-hematoxylin staining and formalin-ether concentrates.
Main Results:
- Cyclospora oocysts were detected in 9.8% of AIDS patients and 5.3% of children with diarrhea.
- Cyclosporiasis was more common in children aged 2-5 years compared to those under one year (P < 0.05).
- Other pathogenic parasites were found in 64.3% of patients shedding Cyclospora oocysts.
Conclusions:
- Cyclospora cayetanensis is a common finding in diarrheal patients from Venezuela.
- The etiological role of C. cayetanensis in causing diarrhea in these patients requires further investigation.
- Co-infection with other parasites is frequent among individuals shedding Cyclospora.
Abstract:
The prevalence and importance of Cyclospora cayetanensis as an enteropathogen among 71 patients (22-45 years old) with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and 132 children with diarrhea (0-12 years old) from Venezuela was assessed retrospectively. Two to three stool samples from each patient attending our parasitology laboratory for parasitologic and medical assistance were examined. For identification of the coccidium, modified Ziehl-Neelsen carbolfuchsin staining of formalin-ether stool concentrates was used, and for other intestinal parasites, iron-hematoxylin-stained smears and formalin-ether concentrates were examined. Cyclospora oocysts were found in seven (9.8%) of 71 AIDS patients and seven (5.3%) of 132 children with diarrhea. Other pathogenic parasites were present in most of the patients (9 of 14, 64.3%) shedding oocysts. Cyclosporiasis predominated in children 2-5 years of age with respect to those < or = one year of age (P < 0.05). The findings suggest that C. cayetanensis is common in diarrheal patients from Venezuela. However, the role of the parasite as the causal agent of diarrhea in these patients is uncertain.