By Neima Briggs, M.D., Ph.D.,
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine
in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine

Newswise — You’ve seen the alarming headlines about parasites causing “explosive diarrhea” across the U.S. Two microscopic parasites – cyclospora cayetanensis and cryptosporidium – can both cause prolonged gastrointestinal illness, including watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, and dehydration.

But they spread in different ways, affect different populations, and require different approaches to diagnosis and treatment.

Cyclospora is more commonly known as the “diarrhea parasite” linked to fresh produce outbreaks. A nationwide surge in cyclospora infections has prompted…