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Cyclospora species as a gastrointestinal pathogen in immunocompetent hosts

W W Ooi1, S K Zimmerman, C A Needham

  • 1Section of Internal Medicine, Lahey Clinic, Burlington, Massachusetts 01805, USA.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|May 1, 1995
PubMed

Insights

Cyclospora species can cause diarrhea in non-travelers and non-immunocompromised individuals. This study identified Cyclospora in three patients with community-acquired diarrhea, suggesting broader clinical considerations.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Parasitology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Previous Cyclospora species reports primarily linked to travelers and immunocompromised patients.
  • Diarrhea is a common gastrointestinal complaint with diverse etiologies.

Observation:

  • A prospective study analyzed 1,042 fecal concentrates from patients with diarrhea.
  • Three patients presented with relapsing, watery, nonbloody diarrhea between May and June 1993.
  • Microscopic examination revealed organisms consistent with Cyclospora species.

Findings:

  • The identified Cyclospora cases occurred in non-travelers and non-immunosuppressed individuals.
  • Diarrhea lasted 12 days to 8 weeks, with no other pathogens detected.
  • The Cyclospora cysts exhibited variable acid fastness.

Implications:

  • Cyclospora species should be considered in the differential diagnosis of community-acquired diarrhea.
  • This finding expands the known clinical spectrum and patient population affected by Cyclospora.
  • Further research is needed to understand transmission routes in non-outbreak settings.

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