What Cyclospora does inside the gut and how it gets there
The U.S. is experiencing its largest outbreak of Cyclospora, a parasite that causes digestive illness, often transmitted through contaminated produce. Experts explain how the parasite survives and replicates within the human gut.
Why it matters
Understanding the biology of foodborne pathogens is essential for public health safety and outbreak prevention.
This summer, tiny Cyclospora parasites have wreaked havoc on the digestive systems of thousands of people in the U.S.
It's the biggest outbreak of this parasite the U.S. has ever seen. In a July 28 update , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention counted 45 states reporting cases of cyclosporiasis — the disease caused by the parasite.
Word of the week Here's how 'parasite' went from a laughing matter to a serious biological threat Michigan is ground zero for cyclosporiasis, where more than 10,000 people have eaten something, likely lettuce, contaminated with microscopic pods containing Cyclospora parasites.
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