How is Cyclospora infection diagnosed?
Your health care provider will ask you to submit stool specimens to see if you are infected. Because testing for Cyclospora infection can be difficult, you may be asked to submit several stool specimens over several days. Identification of this parasite in a specimen requires special laboratory tests that are not routinely done. Therefore, your health care provider should specifically request testing for Cyclospora. Your health care provider might have your stool checked for other organisms that can cause similar symptoms.
The most important thing for health care providers to realize about the diagnosis of Cyclospora infection is that stool specimens examined for ova and parasites usually are not examined for Cyclospora unless such testing is requested. Therefore, when evaluating persons with symptoms consistent with cyclosporiasis, specifically request testing for this parasite. If indicated, stool specimens should also be checked for other microbes that can cause a similar illness. Another important point is that Cyclospora oocysts may be shed intermittently and at low levels, even by persons with profuse diarrhea. A single negative stool specimen does not exclude the diagnosis; several specimens—that are processed and examined with sensitive methods—may be required. Additional perspective about laboratory testing is provided below.
