A review of Cyclospora cayetanensis in animals

Abstract

Cyclosporiasis is an emerging disease in humans with a worldwide scope (Chacín-Bonilla, 2017). The disease is typified by watery diarrhoea that can last for weeks or even months, with more severe or prolonged symptoms occurring in young children and immunocompromised populations. Cyclosporiasis is caused by the single-celled parasite, Cyclospora cayetanensis. Humans become infected by ingesting water, food or soil contaminated with C. cayetanensis in its infective (sporulated oocyst) stage (Chacín-Bonilla, 2008). When the oocysts reach the host's small intestine, they release sporozoites, which invade the host's epithelial cells. The organism then produces non-infectious (unsporulated) oocysts, which are shed in the host's faeces. Unsporulated oocysts require 7 to 15 days in the environment under specific conditions of temperature (23°C to 32°C) and humidity to sporulate (become infectious). With this environmental stage essential for the completion of its lifecycle, direct human-tohuman transmission of C. cayetanensis cannot occur (CDC, 2020).Although numerous species within the genus Cyclospora have been identified and have been found in different types of animals

Cyclospora and Cyclosporiasis: The Nepalese Perspective

“…These animals and environmental agents, as mentioned in published papers incorporated in this review, and represented in this picture were investigated for Cyclospora oocysts. The presence of Cyclospora oocysts in the animal faeces does not indicate infection and cannot be considered the reservoir of C. cayetanensis; however, Cyclospora oocysts might act as paratenic hosts [14] to disseminate this pathogen to the surroundings where humans can be infected. A biopsy is the only means by which whether the animals are actually infected can be ascertained.…”

“…Cyclospora oocysts have been identified in monkeys [54,59] and Himalayan goral [76] (Table 3) in Nepal. According to one review [14], some attempts have been successful in infecting oysters, Asian fresh water clams, Swiss albino mice, and guinea pigs through artificial inoculation of C. cayetanensis oocysts. Based on the appearance of oocysts in the faeces, it cannot be concluded that the animals are infected by Cyclospora.…”

“…C. cayetanensis infection is characterized by prolonged diarrhoea, malaise, nausea, cramping, and anorexia in humans [12,13]. The typical watery diarrhea in cyclosporiasis may last for several weeks and even months, and it may manifest more severe symptoms in young children and immunocompromised persons [14]. Among the high-risk groups of people contracting Cyclospora infection are those living with severe immunocompromised state like HIV/AIDS [15].…”

Cyclospora cayetanensis: A Perspective (2020–2023) with Emphasis on Epidemiology and Detection Methods

“…Cyclospora spp. are protozoan parasites of the phylum Apicomplexa that parasitize many species of mammals with remarkable host specificity [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Until recently, Cyclospora cayetanensis was the only species designated within the genus known to infect humans [ 4 ].…”

“…Until recently, Cyclospora cayetanensis was the only species designated within the genus known to infect humans [ 4 ]. Several Cyclospora species have been found in other animals [ 3 , 5 ], and two new species have been described recently ( Cyclospora duszynskii and Cyclospora yatesi ) from Eastern moles ( Scalopus aquaticus ) in Arkansas, USA, based on distinct microscopical features of their oocysts [ 6 ].…”