Cyclospora cayetanensis: A perspective (2020–2023) with em-phasis on epidemiology and detection methods

Authors: ALMERIA, SONIA - Food And Drug Administration(FDA); CHACIN-BONILLA, LEONOR - Universidad Del Zulia; Maloney, Jenny; Santin-Duran, Monica

Submitted to: Microorganisms
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/23/2023
Publication Date: 8/28/2023
Citation: Almeria, S., Chacin-Bonilla, L., Maloney, J.G., Santin, M. 2023. Cyclospora cayetanensis: A perspective (2020–2023) with em-phasis on epidemiology and detection methods. Microorganisms. 11(9):2171. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11092171.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11092171

Interpretive Summary: Cyclospora cayetanensis is a protozoan parasite that causes intestinal illnesses worldwide that has become a major public health and food safety concern. There are still many data gaps that hamper the implementation of effective measures to prevent the contamination of produce and water with Cyclospora oocysts. Several important advances have happened in the last 3 years in the Cyclospora field in the areas of molecular characterization of strains and species, generation of genomes, and development of novel detection methods. This comprehensive perspective summarizes research published during 2020 to 2023 and evaluates what we have learnt and identifies those aspects in which further research is needed. This information will be useful to public health specialists worldwide at local to national and global levels in understanding the status of taxonomy, epidemiology, detection, and public health importance of Cyclospora cayetanensis.

Technical Abstract: Cyclospora cayetanensis infections are prevalent worldwide, and the parasite has become a major public health and food safety concern. Although important efforts have been dedicated to advance towards preventing and reducing incidences of cyclosporiasis, there are still several knowledge gaps that hamper the implementation of effective measures to prevent the contamination of produce and water with Cyclospora oocysts. Some of these data gaps can be attributed to the fact that access to oocysts is a limiting factor in C. cayetanensis research. There are no animal models or in vivo or in vitro culture systems to propagate the oocysts needed to facilitate C. cayetanensis research. Thus, researchers must rely upon limited supplies of oocysts obtained from naturally infected human patients considerably restricting what can be learnt about this parasite. Despite the limited supply of C. cayetanensis oocysts, several important advances have happened in the last 3 years. Great progress has been made in the Cyclospora field in the areas of molecular characterization of strains and species, generation of genomes, and development of novel detection methods. This comprehensive perspective summarizes research published during 2020 to 2023 and evaluates what we have learnt and identifies those aspects in which further research is needed.