The diagnosis of intestinal parasites is laborious, time-consuming, and often requires specialized expertise
[38]. Still, ova-and-parasite (O&P) exams and other forms of stool microscopy are routinely ordered for patients presenting with diarrhea and other intestinal manifestations, even when other diagnostic methods may be more appropriate. In developed counties, if a parasitic disease is suspected in an immunocompetent patient with diarrhea and no travel history to endemic areas for parasitic diseases, parasites such as
Giardia duodenalis and
Cryptosporidium spp. should be considered before ordering O&P exams
[38]. In the United States and Canada, where cyclosporiasis has become a seasonal illness in the summer,
C. cayetanensis should also be considered as a primary differential in any patient presenting with compatible symptoms and illness onset during the cyclosporiasis peak period (i.e., May through August). A history of consuming fresh leafy greens, berries, basil, and cilantro within 2 weeks prior to the onset of illness may raise the clinical suspicion for cyclosporiasis, although this type of nutritional history is not commonly obtained
[12]. Cyclosporiasis should also be considered in patients returning or emigrating from areas endemic for the disease, in which case specialized assays such as modified acid-fast (MAF) stain, safranin stain, and UV autofluorescence (see below) should be ordered to compliment the routine O&P exams
[38]. Except during seasonal outbreaks, cyclosporiasis is rarely considered by a health care provider, and
C. cayetanensis may be overlooked when only routine O&P examinations are ordered. Importantly, it may be necessary to examine multiple stool specimens for
C. cayetanensis to make a diagnosis of cyclosporiasis, as the number of oocysts shed in stool may be relatively few.