[An outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis in Medellín, Colombia].
OBJECTIVE
Describing an outbreak of gastrointestinal disease in a group of 56 patients from Medellín, Colombia.


METHODS
An unusual number of cases of diarrhoea appeared in April 2002 and 56 samples of stool from the same number of individuals were collected because a patient proved Cyclospora cayetanensis positive. A clinical-epidemiological survey, direct coprology, formol-ether concentration and modified Zielhs Neelsen staining were then carried out. Some food samples were also studied for parasites by direct and modified Zielh Neelsen staining.


RESULTS
55.4% (31/56) of the patients being evaluated proved positive for C. cayetanensis. 77.4% (24/31) were women and 83.9% (26/31) belonged to the University of Antioquia, 88.6% of whom were not teachers. There was no statistically significant difference between positive and negative patients for Cyclospora regarding clinical manifestations, except for dehydration which was greater in patients having cyclosporiasis. However, there was a significant difference regarding consuming salads and juice, this being greater amongst positive patients than negative ones.


CONCLUSIONS
An outbreak of C. cayetanensis appeared in symptomatic patients being taken care of by the GIEPI group during April 2002.
Botero-Garcés
Jorge
J
Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia. jbotero@quimbaya.udea.edu.co
Montoya-Palacio
Martha N
MN
Barguil
José I
JI
Castaño-González
Amanda
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003105:Colombia / Q000453:epidemiology; D021744:Cyclospora / Q000302:isolation & purification; D021866:Cyclosporiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003681:Dehydration / Q000209:etiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors