Cyclospora cayetanensis Infection

Authors : Betül Adem, Ufuk Kamber

Pages : 336-342

View : 71 | Download : 88

Publication Date : 2023-12-30

Article Type : Review Paper

Abstract :Foodborne infections cause significant health problems worldwide. Among the causative agents of these infections, bacteria and viruses are more common, but there are also some protozoans. Among these protozoa, the infection caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis, which has been widely researched recently, is thought to be quite common in our country. Water and food contaminated with human feces are the main reservoirs of the agent. The agent is transmitted by fecal-oral route. Inattentions in eating habits, wrong practices, consumption of undercooked or raw foods, and contaminated drinking and utility water lead to infection. The infection affects the digestive system, and patients mainly suffer from diarrhea. C. cayetanensis symptoms are more severe in patients with HIV/AIDS. The infection is widespread in areas with poor hygiene and sanitation. Improving the hygiene conditions in these areas, washing vegetables and fruits well, filtering the water used for washing and drinking, and paying attention to general hygiene rules, especially hand hygiene, of the personnel working in the food production line significantly reduces the transmission and prevalence of infection.
Keywords : food hygiene, Cyclospora cayetanensis, food infection, protozoan