Cyclospora infection

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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Cyclospora infection causes watery, and sometimes explosive, diarrhea. The one-celled parasite that causes cyclospora infection can enter your body when you ingest contaminated food or water. Fresh produce is the culprit in many cases of cyclospora infection.

Because diarrhea can be caused by many things, it can be difficult to diagnose cyclospora infection. A specialized test is required to identify the cyclospora parasite in stool samples. Treatment for cyclospora infection is antibiotics. Food safety precautions may help to prevent the disease.

References
  1. Cyclosporiasis FAQs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cyclosporiasis/gen_info/faqs.html. Accessed Aug. 18, 2011.
  2. Weller PF, et al. Cyclospora infection. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 3, 2011.
  3. Suh KN, et al. Cyclospora cayetanensis, Isospora belli, Sarcocystis species, Balantidium coli, and Blastocystis hominis. In: Mandell GL, et al. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/linkTo?type=bookPage&isbn=978-0-443-06839-3&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06839-3..00280-0. Accessed Aug. 18, 2011.
  4. WGO practice guideline: Acute diarrhea. Munich, Germany: World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO). http://www.guideline.gov/content.aspx?id=12679. Accessed Aug. 18, 2011.
  5. Craig SA, et al. Gastroenteritis. In: Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/linkTo?type=bookPage&isbn=978-0-323-05472-0&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..00092-X. Accessed Aug. 18, 2011.
DS01024 Sept. 24, 2011

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