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Cyclospora cayetanensis: first imported infections in Germany
F Petry1, J Hofstätter, B K Schulz
1Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Hygiene, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Mainz, Germany.
Infection
|May 1, 1997
Summary
Cyclospora cayetanensis causes prolonged diarrhea, often mistaken for other infections. Early diagnosis and co-trimoxazole treatment are effective for this emerging enteritis.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Cyclospora cayetanensis, a coccidian species, has been increasingly implicated in enteritis cases over the past decade.
- Cyclospora infections present with diarrhea clinically indistinguishable from cryptosporidiosis, isosporiasis, and microsporidiosis.
- Unlike Cryptosporidium and microsporidia, Cyclospora infections are treatable with co-trimoxazole.
Observation:
- Two female patients (70 and 58 years old) presented with severe, prolonged diarrhea following travel to Singapore, Java, and Bali.
- Standard microbiological diagnostics did not identify common enteropathogenic bacteria.
- Modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining of fecal smears revealed Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts.
Findings:
- The patients were diagnosed with Cyclospora cayetanensis infection.
- Prompt administration of co-trimoxazole resulted in effective treatment for both patients.
- This highlights the diagnostic utility of modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining for Cyclospora.
Implications:
- Increased awareness of Cyclospora cayetanensis is crucial for patients presenting with prolonged diarrhea after travel to endemic regions.
- Timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment with co-trimoxazole can prevent prolonged illness and severe weight loss.
- This case report underscores the importance of considering less common enteropathogens in travelers' diarrhea.