Africa Views Cyclospora
Cyclosporiasis is an emerging public health concern around the world and in Africa, reports the Makerere Medical School journal African Health Sciences.
The purpose of the article was to highlight cyclosporiasis and its relevance to public health in East Africa and Africa at large. Among the findings:
In Sub Saharan Africa, cyclosporiasis has been reported in at least 3 countries,including Tanzania, in East Africa, occurring in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. Zoonotic species of Cyclospora have also been identified in East African primates, indicating likely endemicity of this little reported disease in the region. This can be attributed to lack of awareness in the public and medical profession concerning the disease, and therefore not routinely checked at the health centres. Cyclosporiasis is characterized by intermittent diarrhoea, and secondary conditions or sequelae such as reactive arthritis syndrome (Reiter's syndrome), have been associated with progression of the disease. Its management is based on antibiotics, an unusual scenario for a protozoa.
The authors, who are all from Kenya, say that since Cyclospora became known to doctors in the 1970s, it has created a rapidly changing situation. They say that "many aspects of this disease and its transmission remain an enigma."
The full text of the article, along with an abstract, can be found here.
