Question:medium
Which of the following is the drug of choice for cyclosporiasis?
Which of the following is the drug of choice for cyclosporiasis?
Show Hint
Coccidian gut protozoa (Cyclospora/Isospora) respond to co-trimoxazole.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
- Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole combination
- Paromomycin
- Metronidazole
- Cyclosporine
Show Solution
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Identify the pathogen first: Cyclospora cayetanensis, a coccidian protozoan of the gut, then recall its specific therapy.
Step 2: Co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim plus sulfamethoxazole) is the established first-line treatment for both Cyclospora and Cystoisospora (Isospora) diarrhea, a useful paired fact for exams.
Step 3: Beware the trap option cyclosporine, which only sounds alike but is a calcineurin-inhibiting immunosuppressant. Paromomycin and metronidazole address Cryptosporidium, amoeba and Giardia, not Cyclospora.
Step 4: The protozoal coccidian therapy points to a single answer.
\[\boxed{\text{Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole}}\]
Step 2: Co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim plus sulfamethoxazole) is the established first-line treatment for both Cyclospora and Cystoisospora (Isospora) diarrhea, a useful paired fact for exams.
Step 3: Beware the trap option cyclosporine, which only sounds alike but is a calcineurin-inhibiting immunosuppressant. Paromomycin and metronidazole address Cryptosporidium, amoeba and Giardia, not Cyclospora.
Step 4: The protozoal coccidian therapy points to a single answer.
\[\boxed{\text{Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole}}\]
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