First Italian case of cyclosporiasis in an immunocompetent woman: local acquired infection

New Microbiol. 2008 Apr;31(2):281-4.

Abstract

Cyclospora cayetanensis is a coccidian agent of chronic diarrhea in humans with a worldwide distribution. We report the first documented case of acquired Cyclosporiasis in Italy. The patient was an immunocompetent woman with no recent history of travel outside the country. Microscopy detected Cyclospora oocysts in a feces sample. PCR detected the pathogen in a second sample, which had tested negative by microscopy. The patient was investigated to detect other microorganisms in feces, such as Salmonella spp., Shigella spp, Campylobacter spp., Yersinia spp, and enteroviruses: all were negative. All symptoms disappeared 72 h after the beginning of therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cyclospora / cytology
  • Cyclospora / genetics
  • Cyclospora / isolation & purification*
  • Cyclosporiasis / diagnosis*
  • Cyclosporiasis / parasitology
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Microscopy
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods

Substances

  • Antiprotozoal Agents