Cyclospora as another infectious trigger for Reiter syndrome

[Guest guest]

I thought this interesting. I don't know if this has been posted yet or

not. Sorry if it has!

Susie

********

Cyclospora, a protozoan pathogen that causes a syndrome of diarrhea and

fatigue, was responsible for two large-scale outbreaks in North America

in 1996 and 1997 (1,2). These outbreaks, along with studies in

Cyclospora-endemic areas (Nepal and Peru) and treatment of travelers

returning from these areas, have increased our understanding of the

clinical illness associated with this pathogen.

Chronic diarrhea is not uncommon, especially in patients whose condition

is untreated or partially treated. Recently, Guillain-Barré syndrome has

been reported as an extraintestinal complication of Cyclospora infection

(3). We describe Reiter syndrome diagnosed in a patient after prolonged

gastrointestinal illness associated with Cyclospora infection. Two large

outbreaks of diarrheal illness associated with Cyclospora cayetanensis,

a coccidian parasite, provided an opportunity to evaluate clinical

syndromes

associated with this enteric pathogen. Reiter syndrome, a triad of

ocular inflammation, inflammatory oligoarthritis, and sterile

urethritis, has been associated with enteric infections. We describe the

first case of Reiter syndrome following protracted symptoms of

Cyclospora infection.

WHOLE ARTICLE http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol7no3/connor.htm