Definition:
Cyclospora infection is an infection of the intestine due to a one-celled parasite.
Diagnosis:
Cyclospora infection is diagnosed a specialized test called an acid-fast staining test that identifies the parasite in the stool sample under a microscope. The test is done to rule out other possible causes of diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms.
Treatment:
Antibiotics are used to treat cyclospora infection but it is prevented through food-safety precautions. Although it is self-limiting, the infection can recur. Thus, its treatment is focused on preventing loss of fluid in the body and getting rid of the parasite.
Symptoms and Signs:
Infected persons may experience diarrhea that may stop in a few days for healthy immune system, or may be chronic if the immune system is weak. Symptoms may not show in other patients. Other indications of the infection include frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements, loss of appetite, weight loss, bloating, flatulence, burping, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, low-grade fever, fatigue, and malaise.
Causes:
The cause of the infection is the Cyclospora cayetanensis, which is a tiny, one-celled parasite. It infects through contaminated drinking water or food but its transmission is still unclear. However, the infected person passes the parasite in his or her stool
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