Abstract
Although infections with Cyclospora cayetanensis are prevalent worldwide, many aspects of this parasite’s life cycle and transmission remain unknown. Humans are the only known hosts of this parasite. Existing information on its endogenous development has been derived from histological examination of only a few biopsy specimens. Its asexual and sexual stages occur in biliary-intestinal epithelium. In histological sections, its stages are less than 10 μm, making definitive identification difficult. Asexual (schizonts) and sexual (gamonts) are located in epithelial cells. Male microgamonts have two flagella; female macrogametes contain wall-forming bodies. Oocysts are excreted in feces unsporulated. Sporulation occurs in the environment, but there are many unanswered questions concerning dissemination and survival of C. cayetanensis oocysts. Biologically and phylogenetically, C. cayetanensis closely resembles Eimeria spp. that parastize chickens; among them, E. acervulina most closely resembles C. cayetanensis in size. Here, we review known and unknown aspects of its life cycle and transmission and discuss the appropriateness of surrogates best capable of hastening progress in understanding its biology and developing mitigating strategies.
Highlights
Cyclospora cayetanensis is classified as a coccidian parasite, in the phylum Apicomplexa, family Eimeriidae
Profuse parasitization was observed; the diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of C. cayetanensis oocysts in feces and PCR, using DNA extracted from the gallbladder [11]
Until it becomes possible to propagate and study C. cayetanensis, Eimeria surrogates offer a biologically sensible means to experiment with parasites, to define their biology, tolerances, and vulnerabilities
Summary
Several recent papers review prevalence, clinical symptoms, diagnosis, epidemiology, and treatment of cyclosporiasis [1,2,3,4,5,6]. The objectives of this paper are to review known and unknown aspects of its life cycle and transmission, and to review the appropriateness of surrogates best capable of hastening progress in understanding its biology and developing mitigating strategies. Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
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