Sporadic cyclosporiasis in symptomatic Cuban patients: Confirmation of positive results from conventional diagnostic methods by molecular assay.

In Cuba, there are few studies on cyclosporiasis. Here, we report results from 1247 stool samples from symptomatic patients that were examined by microscopy methods and positive cases confirmed by nested PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene, followed by sequencing. Seven positive samples, all diagnosed during May-June, were confirmed by the molecular method, indicating an occurrence in this patient cohort of 0.56%.

[Dynamic Abundance of Oocysts in the Mezam Watershed in Bamenda (Northwest Region, Cameroon)]. / Dynamique d'abondance des charges oocystiques dans le bassin versant du Mezam à Bamenda (région du Nord-Ouest, Cameroun).

In order to evaluate the abundance of oocysts in the Mezam watershed in Bamenda, Northwest Region of Cameroon, a study was carried out from January to June 2017. Samples were collected monthly from 13 stations within the watershed. The direct concentration method and the Ziehl-Neelsen technique were employed in the identification of these parasites. The physicochemical analysis showed that the water samples had a neutral pH (7.46±0.46), lowly mineralized (165.61±110.02µS/cm), moderately oxygenated (60.64 ± 17, 25%), present moderate organic pollution (2.85±2.49mg/l KMnO4). KMnO4) and low levels of orthophosphate (1.8±1.88 mg/l PO43-) and nitrates (2.47±5.06 mg/l NO3-). Biological analysis revealed the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. (143.98±203.35 oocysts/l), Isospora belli (88.47 ± 123.19 oocysts/l), Cyclospora cayetanensis (141.31±143.19 oocysts/l) and Sarcocystis hominis (76 ± 111.04 oocysts/l). The highest densities of these parasites were recorded at the Mufueh stream, situated in the periurban area. Meanwhile, the lowest densities were found in the urban area (Formuki, Mankon, Ayaba and Mezam streams). The dry season showed higher densities of oocysts (471.42±216.32 oocysts /l). Statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation (P ≤ 0.05) between the density of the organisms and the physico-chemical parameters such as pH, oxidability, dissolved oxygen and nitrates. Respecting basic hygienic rules as well as treating water before use would reduce the risk of contamination of the population.

Dans le but d'évaluer l'abondance des oocystes des sporozoaires dans le bassin versant du Mezam à Bamenda dans la région du Nord-Ouest du Cameroun, une étude a été menée de janvier à juin 2017. Des échantillonnages ont été effectués sur 13 stations de ces eaux, suivant une fréquence mensuelle de prélèvement. Les oocystes ont été identifiés à l'aide de la méthode directe de concentration et de la technique de Ziehl-Neelsen. Les analyses physico-chimiques montrent que les eaux ont un pH neutre (7,46 ± 0,46), sont faiblement minéralisées (165,61 ± 110,02 µS/cm), moyennement oxygénées (60,64 ± 17, 25 %), ont une pollution organique modérée (2,85 ± 2,49 mg/l de KMnO4) et des faibles teneurs en orthophosphates (1,8 ± 1,88 mg/l de PO43-) et en nitrates (2,47 ± 5,06 mg/l de NO3-). Les analyses biologiques révèlent la présence de Cryptosporidium spp. (143,98 ± 203,35 oocystes/l), de Isospora belli (88,47 ± 123,19 oocystes/l), de Cyclospora cayetanensis (141,31 ± 143,19 oocystes/l) et de Sarcocystis hominis (57,76 ± 111,04 oocystes/l). Les plus fortes densités de ces oocystes sont enregistrées en saison sèche (471,42 ± 216,32 oocystes/l). Les analyses statistiques montrent des corrélations significatives (P ≤ 0,05) entre la densité de ces oocystes et les paramètres physico-chimiques tels que le pH, l'oxydabilité, l'oxygène dissous et les ions nitrates. Le respect des règles d'hygiènes élémentaires et le traitement des eaux avant tout usage réduiraient les risques de contamination de la population.

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

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.

Cyclospora infection in five immunocompetent patients in a Turkish university hospital.

Infection with Cyclospora has been increasingly reported worldwide in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. Here the cases of five patients infected with Cyclospora cayetanensis, who sought medical care at Hacettepe University in Turkey, are reported. Diarrhoea occurred from five to fifteen times a day in all of these patients, whose ages ranged from 27 to 67 years. All the patients were considered immunocompetent. Identification of C. cayetanensis was made by detection of the oocysts by using a modified acid-fast stain.

Comparison of three microscopic techniques for diagnosis of Cyclospora cayetanensis.

Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts in the feces of humans from Kathmandu, Nepal were identified on the basis of their size and other morphological characteristics. We compared the detection of C. cayetanensis oocysts in the feces using three microscopic techniques such as formalin-ether sedimentation, sucrose centrifugal floatation, and direct smear. Standard procedures were used for the formalin-ether sedimentation and the sucrose centrifugal floatation techniques using 0.5 g of feces, however, the direct smear technique was performed using 10 microl of fecal suspension (0.005 g of feces) and observed under the fluorescent microscope. Of the 403 samples examined, 21 samples were positive for oocysts by all three techniques. Therefore, in these 21 samples, the number of oocysts recovered by the three techniques were compared. The highest number of oocyst was obtained by the sucrose centrifugal floatation technique. In contrast, the formalin-ether sedimentation technique was found to be the least reliable concentration technique for the detection of Cyclospora in human feces. Surprisingly, the direct smear technique was found to be an effective and rapid technique for diagnosis of C. cayetanensis making it a technique of choice for routine epidemiological investigation of the prevalence of this infection in human populations.

Cyclosporiasis outbreak in Germany associated with the consumption of salad.

This outbreak is the first foodborne cyclosporiasis outbreak reported from central Europe. The illness was reported in 34 persons who attended luncheons at a German restaurant. The overall attack rate was 85% (34/40). The only foods associated with significant disease risk were two salad side dishes prepared from lettuce imported from southern Europe and spiced with fresh green leafy herbs (p=0.0025).