Cyclospora infection in a young woman with human immunodeficiency virus in Hong Kong: a case report.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Cyclospora is an uncommon pathogen. The diagnosis of Cyclospora infection can be difficult because of its scarcity in developed countries, intracellular mode of life, small size of the parasite and its inability to take up routine microscopic stains. However, it is endemic in many countries in Asia, Africa, Central and South America. With the increase in travels to these areas, the number of cases is expected to increase. Moreover, it is found to be associated with numerous food-borne outbreaks.

CASE PRESENTATION:

We encountered a patient with human immunodeficiency virus presented with 6 months of diarrhoea. The initial investigation was unrevealing. The diagnosis of Cyclospora infection was finally made on the histological sample obtained by colonoscopy. Moreover, the initial therapy with ciprofloxacin was not effective, while trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole resulted in final cure of the disease.

CONCLUSION:

Travel and food histories are important for the suspicion of Cyclospora infection. Histological examination is more sensitive in making a diagnosis of Cyclospora infection of the gut than fecal microscopic examination. Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole is a more reliable therapy for Cyclospora infection in patients with human immunodeficiency virus.

• Authors: Owen Tak-yin Tsang, Richard Wing-cheuk Wong, Bosco Hoi-shiu Lam, Jacky Man-chun Chan, Kay-yan Tsang, Wai-shing Leung
• Journal: BMC research notes (BMC Res Notes) Vol. 6 Pg. 521 (Dec 09 2013) ISSN: 1756-0500 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 24321705 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Infective Agents
• Ciprofloxacin
• Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

Topics

• Adult
• Anti-Infective Agents (therapeutic use)
• Ciprofloxacin (therapeutic use)
• Colonoscopy
• Cyclospora (isolation & purification)
• Cyclosporiasis (complications, drug therapy, immunology, parasitology)
• Diarrhea (complications, drug therapy, immunology, parasitology)
• Feces (parasitology)
• Female
• HIV
• HIV Infections (complications, drug therapy, immunology, virology)
• Humans
• Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination (therapeutic use)