ABSTRACT
Cyclospora cayetanensis is the only species of the genus Cyclospora known to infect humans. The main risk factors for cyclosporiasis in industrialized countries include international travel to cyclosporiasis-endemic areas and domestic consumption of contaminated food, mainly fresh produce imported from the regions. In the developed world, cyclosporiasis has been observed in the general population regardless of age. Cyclosporiasis is common in impoverished endemic areas where water and food sanitation are poor or nonexistent, particularly affecting children. Most cases of cyclosporiasis reported in Europe and Australia have been acquired by visitors in regions where the parasite is endemic. The identification of food items that serve as vehicles in cyclosporiasis outbreaks represents a major challenge. Cyclospora cayetanensis outbreaks have been mostly reported in North America, probably due to better detection methods and disease surveillance that have helped in tracking outbreaks. A modified heated safranin stain was reported to uniformly stain Cyclospora oocysts a brilliant reddish-orange color.
