title: Cyclospora cayetanensis: first report of imported and autochthonous infections in Kuwait.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The intestinal coccidian parasites Cryptosporidium spp. and Cyclospora cayetanensis have emerged as significant human pathogens worldwide. The reports of Cyclospora cayetanensis infection in the Middle East are sporadic and no case has been reported from Kuwait.
  
  
  METHODS
  Stool specimens were collected from six individuals presenting with watery diarrhoea of varying degree and severity at the District General hospitals, Kuwait. Four patients were male, two were female and their ages ranged from 5 to 64 years. Three cases were seen among the migrant population from the Indian subcontinent who had recently returned to Kuwait and two cases were seen in the local population with no history of travel abroad. The stool smears were stained with modified acid-fast stain and examined under ultraviolet (UV) fluorescence illumination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts with variable staining characteristics were detected by microscopy. Two of the cases were also associated with other enteric pathogens. Clinical suspicion of Cyclospora infection was not recorded for any of the cases. All patients showed remarkable symptomatic and parasitologic improvements upon treatment with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cyclospora spp. are important aetiological agents of diarrhoea in the Middle East. An awareness of the parasitic infection and use of appropriate diagnostic modalities are essential to elucidate the clinical and epidemiological significance of the parasitosis in this geographic area.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Safat 13110, Kuwait. iqbal@hsc.edu.kw
authors.forename: Jamshaid
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Iqbal
authors.forename: Parsotam Ravjee
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Hira
authors.forename: Faiza
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Al-Ali
authors.forename: Nabila
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Khalid
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D021744:Cyclospora / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D021866:Cyclosporiasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007730:Kuwait; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010274:Parasitology / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000008:administration & dosage; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination