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Cyclospora: Review of an Emerging Parasite
Author(s) -
Brown Gigi H.,
Rotschafer John C.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1592/phco.19.1.70.30510
Subject(s) - cyclospora cayetanensis , cyclospora , diarrhea , trimethoprim , organism , antibiotics , sulfamethoxazole , medicine , transmission (telecommunications) , microbiology and biotechnology , parasite hosting , biology , intensive care medicine , cryptosporidium , virology , feces , paleontology , electrical engineering , world wide web , computer science , engineering
Cyclospora is a parasite traditionally associated with diarrhea in travelers to endemic countries. Recently, several cases of cyclosporiasis were reported in nontravelers in the United States and Canada, implicating various fruits and vegetables as vehicles of infection. The life cycle of cyclospora is not fully known, but is believed to involve both asexual and sexual stages of proliferation. Food‐ and water‐borne transmission of infection have been implicated. Patients infected with Cyclospora cayetanensis have protracted watery diarrhea. Various generalized symptoms are also present, making cyclosporiasis indistinguishable from infectious diarrhea caused by other microorganisms. Diagnosis depends on identifying the organism by microbiologic examination of stool samples. Treatment consists of supportive care, maintenance of fluid and electrolyte status, symptomatic relief, and antibiotic therapy. Trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole is the only antibiotic available that is effective in eradicating the organism.