Emerg Infect DiseidEmerging Infectious Diseases1080-60401080-6059Centers for Disease Control106032092640805Research ArticleEpidemiologic studies of Cyclospora cayetanensis in Guatemala.BernC.HernandezB.LopezM. B.ArrowoodM. J.de MejiaM. A.de MeridaA. M.HightowerA. W.VenczelL.HerwaldtB. L.KleinR. E.National Cancer Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.Nov-Dec199956766774

In 1996 and 1997, cyclosporiasis outbreaks in North America were linked to eating Guatemalan raspberries. We conducted a study in health-care facilities and among raspberry farm workers, as well as a case-control study, to assess risk factors for the disease in Guatemala. From April 6, 1997, to March 19, 1998, 126 (2.3%) of 5, 552 surveillance specimens tested positive for Cyclospora; prevalence peaked in June (6.7%). Infection was most common among children 1.5 to 9 years old and among persons with gastroenteritis. Among 182 raspberry farm workers and family members monitored from April 6 to May 29, six had Cyclospora infection. In the case-control analysis, 62 (91%) of 68 persons with Cyclospora infection reported drinking untreated water in the 2 weeks before illness, compared with 88 (73%) of 120 controls (odds ratio [OR] 3.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4, 10.8 by univariate analysis). Other risk factors included water source, type of sewage drainage, ownership of chickens or other fowl, and contact with soil (among children younger than 2 years).