Introduction to Epidemiology 6th Edition by Ray M Merrill

Exercise 18

Do you think that it is likely that the businessmen became infected with cyclosporiasis in Texas?

Step 1 of 2

Cyclosporiasis is an infection caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis. Some patients infected by Cyclospora cayetanensis may remain asymptomatic but others show many symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, weight loss. Explosive diarrhea may last for about 2-3 weeks. Subtropical, tropical or warm temperate regions are generally confined to indigenous cyclosporiasis infection. It can be associated with biliary disease in patients suffering from AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome).

Individuals raveling to the poorly developed, warm regions and immunocompromised patients are at the higher risk of contracting disease. The infection is caused mainly through ingestion of food contaminated with oocysts of C.cayetanensis. Three of the businessmen in Toronto were diagnosed with cyclosporiasis, after they came back from United States, in the year 1996. The outbreak that took place in United States was believed to have occurred after ingestion and importation of Guatemalan raspberries.