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Monthy Case Studies - 2002
Case #82 - April, 2002
A 29-year-old man who is a chef, was seen by a physician for diarrhea. The images shown below were taken from a modified acid-fast stain. The size of the objects in the smear ranged from 7.7 to 10 micrometers in diameter. The specimen was collected in January 2002 along with specimens from three other patients. What is your diagnosis? Based on what criteria?
Figure A
Figure B
Figure C
Acknowledgement: This case was kindly provided by the Vermont Department of Health Laboratory.
Answer to Case #82
This was a case of cyclosporiasis caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis. Diagnostic features observed included:
- the size of the oocysts (7.7-10 micrometers), which was consistent with C. cayetanensis.
- variable staining among the oocysts, ranging from colorless to deep purple (compare all diagnostic images). Oocysts of C. cayetanensis stain variably with acid-fast stain.
- the wall of the oocysts showing the characteristic wrinkled appearance seen in acid-fast stained smears of C. cayetanensis.
More on: Cyclosporiasis
Images presented in the monthly case studies are from specimens submitted for diagnosis or archiving. On rare occasions, clinical histories given may be partly fictitious.
