Cyclosporiasis is a intestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite. As outbreaks can occur—particularly during warmer months when consumption of fresh produce rises—understanding how this infection spreads and how to recognize its symptoms can help keep you and your family safe.
Here is what you need to know about Cyclosporiasis, answered by Dr. Waseem Ahmad, an infectious disease specialist at Ascension St. Vincent in Evansville.
1. What is Cyclosporiasis?
Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal illness caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis, a microscopic single-celled parasite. When the parasite infects the small intestine, it causes digestive discomfort and prolonged diarrhea. Unlike many common foodborne bacteria, Cyclospora requires time (usually one to two weeks) outside the body after being shed in feces before it becomes capable of infecting another person. As a result, direct person-to-person transmission is extremely rare.
2. What causes Cyclosporiasis and how does it spread?
Cyclosporiasis is contracted by ingesting food or water contaminated with microscopic parasite eggs (oocysts). Contamination typically occurs when produce comes into contact with infected soil or water during harvesting, packaging, or handling.
High-risk items that have historically been linked to outbreaks include:
- Fresh herbs, such as cilantro and basil
- Fresh berries, particularly raspberries
- Prepackaged salad mixes and leafy greensUntreated or contaminated drinking water
3. What are the signs and symptoms of Cyclosporiasis?
Symptoms usually begin about one week after consuming contaminated food or water (ranging from 2 to 14 days). The hallmark sign is watery, frequently foul-smelling diarrhea.
Other common symptoms include:
- Loss of appetite (anorexia) and noticeable weight loss
- Severe fatigue and muscle aches
- Abdominal cramping, bloating, and increased gas
- Nausea and low-grade fever
Note on illness duration: Without medical treatment, Cyclosporiasis symptoms can linger for weeks or even months. The illness often follows a relapsing pattern, where a patient feels better for a few days before symptoms return.
4. Are there ways to prevent Cyclosporiasis?
Prevention relies entirely on avoiding contaminated food and water. Currently, there is no vaccine, no preventive antibiotic treatment, and no household chemical sanitizer or wash guaranteed to kill Cyclospora parasites on produce.
To reduce your risk:
- Wash all produce thoroughly: Thoroughly rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running water before eating, peeling, or cooking. While washing reduces the risk, it may not remove all parasites attached to rough surfaces.
- Cook when in doubt: Heating food thoroughly kills the parasite.
- Practice travel safety: Avoid unpasteurized food, raw produce, and untreated tap water when traveling to areas where Cyclospora is endemic.
- Store food properly: Keep fresh produce properly refrigerated to prevent the growth of other foodborne pathogens.
5. What should I do if I suspect I have Cyclosporiasis?
If you are experiencing persistent, watery diarrhea that lasts more than a few days—especially if accompanied by unusual fatigue or weight loss—you should contact a primary care provider or visit an Ascension St. Vincent clinic.
- Testing: Standard routine stool tests for food poisoning often miss Cyclospora. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about your specific symptoms and any recent travel or consumption of fresh produce so they can order specialized specialized specialized microscopic or molecular testing (PCR).
- Treatment: If confirmed, Cyclosporiasis is treatable with a specific antibiotic prescribed by your doctor. Fluid replacement is also important to prevent dehydration.
6. Are there any long-term health complications?
For most healthy individuals, Cyclosporiasis resolves completely once properly diagnosed and treated. Long-term complications are uncommon, but in rare cases—especially if the infection goes untreated for a prolonged period—post-infectious complications may arise.
Potential rare complications include:
Seeking timely medical evaluation helps ensure prompt diagnosis, effective treatment, and a swift return to good health.
- Gallbladder inflammation (acalculous cholecystitis)
- Joint pain and inflammation (reactive arthritis)
- Nerve-related weakness or numbness (neuropathy, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome)
