--- title: How is Cyclospora Diagnosed? date: 2020-12-16T17:28:00-08:00 author: admin canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/how-is-cyclospora-diagnosed" section: Resource Library --- [Foodborne Illnesses](/foodborne-illnesses) / [Cyclospora](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora) / # How is Cyclospora Diagnosed? Cyclosporiasis is usually diagnosed symptomatically in clinical settings, including the presence of watery diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and bloating. In untreated, immunocompetent people, the diarrhea can last from days to weeks to a month or more and can wax and wane, with variable oocyst shedding. Oocysts can continue to be shed (intermittently or continuously) by non-symptomatic people, and symptoms can also persist in the absence of oocysts in feces. In a clinical context, conventional diagnosis usually involves microscopic examination of intestinal tissue biopsy sections, stool samples for the presence of developmental stages of *Cyclospora*, or advanced molecular testing for DNA. Improved specificity and sensitivity have been possible largely through the use of PCR (polymerase chain reaction), which enables the specific amplification of genetic loci from tiny amounts of genomic DNA of *Cyclospora*. Because of the intermittent nature of oocyst shedding and the low numbers of this stage in feces, it is recommended that multiple stool samples be collected at 2-3 day intervals over a period of more than a week, to increase the likelihood of identifying the disease microscopically. ![](https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/aboutboutlismcom-images/image8.png?1615534372070)Cyclospora under the microscope ![](https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/aboutboutlismcom-images/image9.jpeg) [ Next: Cyclosporiasis Treatment › ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora/cyclosporiasis-treatment) ### 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)