Cyclosporiasis

Infectious agent: Protozoan parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis

Description of illness: Cyclospora infects the small intestine and typically causes watery diarrhea, with frequent, sometimes explosive, stools. Vomiting, body aches, low-grade fever, and other flu-like symptoms occur occasionally. If untreated, the illness may last for a few days to a month or longer, and may follow a remitting-relapsing course. Some infected persons are asymptomatic, particularly in settings where cyclosporiasis is endemic.