title: Epidemiology of Cyclospora Species in Humans in Malatya Province in Turkey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cyclospora species are rare among other Coccidia parasites and can cause recurrent gastroenteritis. Cyclospora spp. can infect reptiles, insects, rodents, and mammals.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study aimed to determine the epidemiology of Cyclospora spp. in Malatya province and its neighboring provinces.
  
  
  METHODS
  Totally, 2281 stool samples taken from patients with digestive system complaints who referred to the polyclinics affiliated with Inonu University, Faculty of Medicine in Malatya Province and its neighboring provinces, in 2006, and whose stool specimens were submitted to the parasitology department were examined. A questionnaire was developed to determine the epidemiology of Cyclospora spp. in the patients as the dependent variable of the study. All the participants signed an informed written consent. The samples were coated with Entellan™ after staining via acid-fast staining and were examined on an immersion microscope objective. The data are presented as mean, standard deviation, or number/percentage. The chi-square test was used for the statistical analyses. Statistically, a P value < 0.05 was accepted as meaningful.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The stool samples were examined via direct microscopic examination and acid-fast staining. Positivity was determined in 129 (5.7%) cases. In the overall assessment of the patients with respect to general body itching, rectal itching, allergy, immunosuppression plus cancer, shortness of breath, ulcerative colitis, diarrhea, abdominal pain, salivation, constipation, nausea, vomiting, growth retardation, and anemia, there was no significant relationship. However, in the statistical evaluations among the positive cases, the difference was found to be significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study was conducted in Malatya Province, but patients from the neighboring provinces were also included in the evaluation during the study. Of all the positive cases, 5.6% were those from Malatya Province and its surrounding areas. Additionally, Cyclospora spp. were observed among the patients referring to the polyclinics with digestive system complaints in 8.1% of those from the Adiyaman province and in 6.9% of those from the Kahramanmaraş region. The incidence of Cyclospora cayetanensis may be higher in these regions if an epidemiological study is performed. Consequently, we suggest that Cyclospora spp. be investigated in digestive system disorders, especially in immunosuppressed patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ordu University, Ordu, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ulku
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Karaman
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nilgun
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Daldal
authors.affiliation: Public Health Department, Faculty of Medicine, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ozer
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ordu University, Ordu, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ozgur
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Enginyurt
authors.affiliation: Literature Department, Faculty of Science, Ordu University, Ordu, Turkey.
authors.forename: Omer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Erturk
keywords: Cyclospora; Digestive System; Epidemiology