Seasonal trends of Cyclospora cayetanensis infections in a community of Falcon State, Northwestern Venezuela

Abstract

Background: Cyclosporiasis has a marked seasonality. Few community-based studies have addressed this issue and there are no reports from Venezuela. A study was conducted to determine the seasonal variation of infection in a community from Falcon State, Venezuela.

Methods: A sample of 732 individuals was collected for 1 y. Stools were examined with modified Ziehl-Neelsen carbolfuchsin staining of ethyl acetate-formalin concentrates and ultraviolet epiflorescence of wet mounts.

Results: Cyclospora prevalence was 9.9% (73/732) with monthly variation from 0% to 35.3%. A trend of increased infections coinciding with the rainy time was observed (p<0.001).

Conclusions: Cyclosporiasis is common in this area with high endemicity during the rainy periods.

Keywords: Cyclospora cayetanensis, cyclosporiasis; Venezuela; epidemiology; risk factors; seasonality.