--- title: Cyclospora’s Mode of Infection date: 2020-12-16T17:24:00-08:00 author: admin canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/cyclosporas-mode-of-infection" section: Resource Library --- [Foodborne Illnesses](/foodborne-illnesses) / [Cyclospora](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora) / # Cyclospora’s Mode of Infection The modes of transmission of *C. cayetanensis* are still not completely understood. Direct person-to-person transmission is unlikely because the oocysts are not infectious when initially shed (unlike *Cryptosporidium*, another foodborne parasite). ![](https://holistic-kudu.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/1safe_image.php_-300x156__thumb.jpg?w=240&h=124&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1677187638&s=127e09b5d57623ef83d71d34361221a5)Individuals with *Cyclospora* infection excrete unsporulated oocysts in their feces. These oocysts require 7 to 15 days to sporulate under ideal conditions (23-27°C or 73-81ºF) and only then become infectious to a susceptible host. Therefore, food or water contaminated with freshly excreted *Cyclospora* oocysts is not likely to cause an infection; rather *C. cayetanensis* requires weeks to sporulate in the environment to become infectious. Indirect transmission can occur if an infected person contaminates the environment, the oocysts sporulate under the right conditions, and then contaminated food and water are ingested. The role of soil in transmission has also been proposed. The relative importance of these various modes of transmission and sources of infection is not known. ![](https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/aboutboutlismcom-images/image6.png)*Cyclospora* oocysts have been detected in non-gastrointestinal samples. There have been reports of oocysts in the sputa of HIV patients with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis, suggesting that *Cyclospora* could be considered an opportunistic pathogen. Travel to rural areas and ingestion of contaminated foods could be modes of infection. Accidental inhalation of oocysts has also been suggested. The dissemination of infective *Cyclospora* oocysts via water, soil, and unprocessed foods (*e.g.*, fruits and vegetables, including ready-to-eat salads) is enabled by their small size (8–10 μm), low specific gravity, and high infectivity. Such oocysts can survive for weeks to months in water and food, depending on the environmental temperature, and are resistant to the routine sanitization or chemical disinfection procedures used in irrigation systems, recreational waters, or drinking water treatment plants. [ Next: Symptoms of Cyclospora Infection › ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/symptoms-of-cyclospora-infection) ### More information about Cyclospora [October 23, 2022 ###### A 2020 Cyclospora Outbreak The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with health departments in 14 states and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), investigated a national outbreak of Cyclospora in the ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/a-2020-cyclospora-outbreak) [October 20, 2022 ###### The Cyclospora Outbreak of 2022: A Quick Guide Latest Information The number of reported cases of domestically acquired cyclosporiasis illnesses has increased by 260 cases since the last update on August 25, 2022. Cases continue to be reported ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/the-cyclospora-outbreak-of-2022-a-quick-guide) [October 03, 2022 ###### Over 1,000 with Cyclospora with no know source Cyclosporiasis illnesses are reported year-round in the United States. However, during the spring and summer months there is often an increase in cyclosporiasis acquired in the United States (i.e., “domestically ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/over-1000-with-cyclospora-with-no-know-source) [September 01, 2022 ###### Cyclospora in the United States hits 800 Cyclosporiasis illnesses are reported year-round in the United States. However, during the spring and summer months there is often an increase in cyclosporiasis acquired in the United States (i.e., “domestically ... ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/cyclospora-in-the-united-states-hits-800) [1. View all ](/news_events/outbreaks?illness=cyclospora&year=all) ## All Cyclospora Resources [###### Cyclospora Food Poisoning ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/what-is-cyclospora) [###### Epidemiology of Cyclospora ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/epidemiology-of-cyclospora) [###### Cyclospora’s Mode of Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/cyclosporas-mode-of-infection) [###### Symptoms of Cyclospora Infection ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/symptoms-of-cyclospora-infection) [###### How is Cyclospora Diagnosed? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/how-is-cyclospora-diagnosed) [###### Cyclosporiasis Treatment ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/cyclosporiasis-treatment) [###### What Are the Serious and Long-term Risks of Cyclospora Infection? ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/what-are-the-serious-and-long-term-risks-of-cyclospora-infection) [###### Cyclospora Outbreaks ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/cyclospora-outbreaks) [###### Cyclospora References ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/cyclospora-references) ### Other foodborne illnesses [E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli) [Salmonella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella) [Listeria](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria) [Hepatitis A](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a) [Reactive Arthritis](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/reactive-arthritis) [Guillain-Barre Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/guillain-barre-syndrome) [Irritable Bowel Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome) [Norovirus](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus) [Botulism](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/botulism) [Campylobacter](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/campylobacter) [Shigella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella) [Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hemolytic-uremic-syndrome)