CYCLOSPOROSIS - REPORT OF ONE CASE

Cyclospora cayetanensis is a newly recognized parasite widely distribu ted throughout the world, and isolated from children, immunocompetent adults and HIV infected individuals. The clinical manifestations of th e infection are watery prolonged diarrhea, anorexia, fatigue, nausea, bloating and weight loss. In immunocompetent individuals, diarrhea is usually self limited but may last several weeks. In immunocompromised hosts it is prolonged, severe and can be associated with biliary tract involvement. We report a 50 years old female that, five days after re turning from Cuba, presented with low grade fever; anorexia, fatigue, explosive diarrhea and weight loss. Physical examination was normal. A stool specimen contained many organisms with morphological features o f Cyclospora caetanensis. The diagnosis was confirmed at the Centers f or Disease Control (Atlanta Ga).