Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Trichuris muris Infection: A Model of Type 2 Immunity and Inflammation in the Gut
10:05

Trichuris muris Infection: A Model of Type 2 Immunity and Inflammation in the Gut

Published on: May 24, 2011

Cyclosporiasis associated with diarrhoea in an immunocompetent patient in Turkey

Meral Türk1, Metin Türker1, Mucide Ak1

  • 1Department of Microbiology, State Hospital, Izmir, Turkey 2Department of Parasitology, Medical Faculty, Ege University, Bornova, 35100, Izmir, Turkey.

Journal of Medical Microbiology
|February 19, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Cyclospora cayetanensis causes diarrhea in immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. This case highlights the first instance of local Cyclospora infection in an immunocompetent person in Turkey.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Parasitology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Cyclospora cayetanensis is an emerging protozoan parasite causing diarrhea globally.
  • Cyclosporiasis affects both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals, including those with AIDS.
  • Autochthonous cases, or those originating locally, are crucial for understanding disease epidemiology.

Observation:

  • A 30-year-old Turkish woman presented with a week of watery diarrhea, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and weight loss.
  • Diagnosis was confirmed by identifying Cyclospora sp. oocysts using modified Kinyoun's acid-fast stain.
  • The patient was an immunocompetent lawyer, indicating no underlying immune deficiency.

Findings:

  • The patient received treatment with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (160/800 mg) twice daily for 7 days.
  • The treatment regimen effectively resolved the symptoms of cyclosporiasis.
  • This case represents the first documented instance of autochthonous cyclosporiasis in an immunocompetent patient in Turkey.

Implications:

  • This finding expands the known geographical distribution and clinical presentation of cyclosporiasis.
  • It underscores the importance of considering Cyclospora in the differential diagnosis of unexplained diarrhea in immunocompetent individuals.
  • Further surveillance and research are needed to understand the transmission dynamics of Cyclospora in Turkey.

More Related Videos

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via Colonoscopy for Recurrent C. difficile Infection07:06

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via Colonoscopy for Recurrent C. difficile Infection

Published on: December 8, 2014

Studying Cryptosporidium Infection in 3D Tissue-derived Human Organoid Culture Systems by Microinjection05:31

Studying Cryptosporidium Infection in 3D Tissue-derived Human Organoid Culture Systems by Microinjection

Published on: September 14, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
Bacterial Gastroenteritis01:18

Bacterial Gastroenteritis

Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...
Poliomyelitis01:17

Poliomyelitis

Poliomyelitis is caused by poliovirus, a small, non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family and Enterovirus genus. Transmission occurs primarily via the fecal-oral route, often through ingestion of contaminated water or food. The virus initially replicates in the oropharynx and intestinal mucosa, particularly in lymphoid tissues such as the tonsils, Peyer’s patches, and regional lymph nodes. Primary viremia follows, allowing dissemination throughout the body.In most...
Toxoplasmosis01:28

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, poses significant public health challenges globally due to its high seroprevalence and varied clinical manifestations. As an obligate intracellular parasite, T. gondii can infect all warm-blooded vertebrates, but felids are its only definitive hosts, shedding unsporulated oocysts into the environment. Humans typically acquire the infection through ingestion of tissue cysts in undercooked meat or oocysts from...
Giardiasis01:12

Giardiasis

Giardiasis is a globally prevalent intestinal infection caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis (also known as G. lamblia or G. intestinalis). This flagellated protozoan is the most frequently identified intestinal parasite in the United States and worldwide. Transmission primarily occurs via the fecal-oral route, with infection arising from ingestion of water or food contaminated with cysts. Individuals in low-resource settings, international travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, daycare...
Amebiasis01:28

Amebiasis

Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...