Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of travel-associated cyclosporiasis in Santiago, Chile: Descriptive...

Cyclospora cayetanensis is a neglected intestinal parasite and emerging cause of gastrointestinal illness in travelers. The global distribution, life cycle, and clinical features of cyclosporiasis remain poorly understood. The present study analyzes the clinico-epidemiological characteristics of cyclosporiasis diagnosed in Santiago, Chile.

We included cyclosporiasis cases diagnosed by molecular methods at Clínica Alemana, Santiago, Chile, from December 2015 to August 2024. Demographic, travel-related, and clinical data were collected from electronic patient records, complemented by a standardized telephone survey.

Among 25,061 samples, 61 were positive from C. cayetanensis. The median age of patients was 41 years (range 15-81 years); 59 % were male; all were associated with recent international travel. Medium travel duration was 10 days (4-20); travel reasons were tourism (80.4 %) and business (19.6 %); 92.3 % stayed at all-inclusive resorts or hotels. Infections were predominantly (80.0 %) acquired in Mexico, mostly on the Caribbean coast. Patients presented with diarrhea (100 %), abdominal pain (60.3 %), nausea (37.9 %), weight loss (34.5 %), and vomiting (19.0 %); 35.7 % of patients reported systemic manifestations such as fatigue, myalgia, and fever; 6.1 % of cases were hospitalized. Median time delays from symptom onset to consultation, diagnosis, and treatment were 7 (0-33), 15 (2-36), and 17 (3-42) days, respectively. All patients recovered rapidly after treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

Cyclosporiasis mainly affected tourists visiting all-inclusive resorts and business travelers, most frequently in Mexico. Diagnosis and treatment were often delayed. The presented data may help to raise awareness and optimize pre-travel advice and post-travel management of travelers with prolonged diarrhea.