La exploración de la diversidad genética de Blastocystis en escolares rurales de Colombia mediante secuenciación amplicónica de nueva generación revela asociaciones significativas entre el contacto con animales y el riesgo de infección

Blastocystis es un protista intestinal común con una distribución mundial en humanos y muchos otros animales. Sin embargo, el estatus de Blastocystis como patógeno, los factores de riesgo asociados a su transmisión y su potencial zoonótico siguen sin estar bien definidos. Aquí, exploramos la diversidad del subtipo (ST) y los factores de riesgo potenciales para la infección por Blastocystis en 98 niños de Apulo, Colombia. Las muestras fueron cribadas para Blastocystis mediante PCR, y la identificación de ST se realizó mediante secuenciación de amplicones de próxima generación (NGS). Las asociaciones entre la presencia de Blastocystis y ST individuales y las variables sociodemográficas se evaluaron mediante análisis de regresión logística. Setenta y una muestras (72,4%) fueron positivas para Blastocystis, y la NGS reveló la presencia de cinco ST (ST1-ST5). ST1, ST2 y ST3 fueron comunes y se observaron en proporciones casi iguales (~ 40%), mientras que las muestras con ST4 (1,4%) y ST5 (5,6%) fueron comparativamente raras. También fue frecuente la presencia de ST mixtos en la misma muestra (28,2%). Las comparaciones entre niños de un mismo hogar revelaron que los perfiles de ST compartidos eran frecuentes, pero también se observó diversidad dentro de las unidades familiares. Los análisis de regresión logística arrojaron asociaciones significativas entre la presencia de Blastocystis, subtipos individuales o subtipos mixtos para varias variables. Curiosamente, la presencia de animales fue una de las asociaciones significativas más comunes. En conjunto, estos datos representan un importante paso adelante en la comprensión tanto de las rutas potenciales como de los factores de riesgo que pueden influir en la transmisión de Blastocystis, y serán útiles para dar forma a futuros estudios que traten de aclarar las relaciones entre los ST, la patogenicidad y la transmisión zoonótica.Blastocystis is a common intestinal protist with a global distribution in humans and many other animals. Yet, the status of Blastocystis as a pathogen, the risk factors associated with its transmission, and its zoonotic potential remain ill-defined. Here, we explored subtype (ST) diversity and potential risk factors for Blastocystis infection in 98 children from Apulo, Colombia. Samples were screened for Blastocystis via PCR, and ST identification was performed through next-generation amplicon sequencing (NGS). Associations between the presence of Blastocystis and individual STs and sociodemographic variables were assessed via logistic regression analyses. Seventy-one samples (72.4%) were Blastocystis-positive, and NGS revealed the presence of five STs (ST1-ST5). ST1, ST2, and ST3 were common and observed in nearly equal proportions (~ 40%), while samples with ST4 (1.4%) and ST5 (5.6%) were comparatively rare. The presence of mixed STs in the same sample was also common (28.2%). Comparisons among children within the same household identified that shared ST profiles were common, but diversity within family units was also observed. Logistic regression analyses returned significant associations between the presence of Blastocystis, individual subtypes, or mixed subtypes for several variables. Intriguingly, the presence of animals was one of the most common significant associations. Taken together, these data represent an important step forward in understanding both the potential routes and risk factors that may influence Blastocystis transmission and will be useful in shaping future studies which seek to clarify the relationships between STs, pathogenicity, and zoonotic transmission

Do changes in Lactuca sativa metabolic performance, induced by mycorrhizal symbionts and leaf UV-B irradiation, play a role towards tolerance to a polyphagous insect pest?

: The increased ultraviolet radiation (UV) due to the altered stratospheric ozone leads to multiple plant physiological and biochemical adaptations, likely affecting their interaction with other organisms, such as pests and pathogens. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and UV-B treatment can be used as eco-friendly techniques to protect crops from pests by activating plant mechanisms of resistance. In this study, we investigated plant (Lactuca sativa) response to UV-B exposure and Funneliformis mosseae (IMA1) inoculation as well as the role of a major insect pest, Spodoptera littoralis. Lettuce plants exposed to UV-B were heavier and taller than non-irradiated ones. A considerable enrichment in phenolic, flavonoid, anthocyanin, and carotenoid contents and antioxidant capacity, along with redder and more homogenous leaf color, were also observed in UV-B-treated but not in AMF-inoculated plants. Biometric and biochemical data did not differ between AMF and non-AMF plants. AMF-inoculated plants showed hyphae, arbuscules, vesicles, and spores in their roots. AMF colonization levels were not affected by UV-B irradiation. No changes in S. littoralis-feeding behavior towards treated and untreated plants were observed, suggesting the ability of this generalist herbivore to overcome the plant chemical defenses boosted by UV-B exposure. The results of this multi-factorial study shed light on how polyphagous insect pests can cope with multiple plant physiological and biochemical adaptations following biotic and abiotic preconditioning

Educational policies and institutional change: Transformations in the functioning of Argentine public universities since the reforms initiated in the 1990s

El artículo presenta los resultados de una investigación dedicada a analizar las implicancias de las políticas públicas en la vida interna de las universidades argentinas, en línea con estudios internacionales elaborados en las últimas décadas. La hipótesis plantea que la reforma de los '90 propició la emergencia de nuevas áreas, funciones y roles en la gestión de las instituciones. Durante este período, la iniciativa estatal se orientó hacia la modernización de la gestión universitaria con el objetivo de aumentar sus niveles de eficacia y eficiencia. Los instrumentos de política pública estuvieron inspirados en el paradigma de la Nueva Gestión Pública (NGP), orientación que generó tensiones y nuevas vinculaciones con los tradicionales modelos de gobierno y gestión de las universidades nacionales. La estrategia de investigación combinó metodologías cuantitativas y cualitativas. Para ello, se recolectó y analizó información institucional, se aplicó una encuesta a una muestra de personal estratificada según períodos de creación y se realizaron entrevistas en profundidad. De acuerdo con los resultados obtenidos, las universidades han creado áreas de gestión para hacer frente a las demandas externas; a la vez que, generaron funciones y roles que son desempeñados por un nuevo tipo de profesionales que combina competencias académicas y administrativas.This article presents the results of a research devoted to analyze the implications of public policies in the internal life of Argentine universities, in line with international studies carried out in the last decades. The hypothesis is that the reform of the 1990s led to the emergence of new areas, functions and roles in the management of institutions. During this period, the state initiative was oriented towards the modernization of university management with the aim of increasing its levels of effectiveness and efficiency. The public policy instruments were inspired by the New Public Management (NPM) paradigm, an orientation that generated tensions and new links with the traditional models of government and management of national universities.The research strategy combined quantitative and qualitative methodologies. For this purpose, institutional information was collected and analyzed, a survey was applied to a sample of personnel stratified according to periods of creation, and in-depth interviews were conducted. According to the results obtained, universities have created management areas to face external demands; at the same time, they have generated functions and roles that are performed by a new type of professionals who combine academic and administrative competencies.Fil: Marquina, Monica Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero; ArgentinaFil: Santin, Silvina Ana. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencias Sociales; ArgentinaFil: Rodríguez, Wenceslao. Universidad Nacional de Río Negro; ArgentinaFil: Reznik, Nicolás. Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Lizitza, Nahuel. Universidad de Palermo. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales; ArgentinaFil: Denes, Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero; ArgentinaFil: Lizzano, Vanina Egle. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Educación; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero; Argentin

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

A Macroevolutionary: Study of the Southern Cone Native Flora

Las acciones eficientes de conservación requieren un profundo conocimiento de la biodiversidad en una región dada. Los análisis macro-evolutivos de floras integrales son innovadores y tienen la capacidad potencial de re-evaluar cuantitativamente el conocimiento tradicional de la biogeografía para una región. El presente proyecto plantea reconstruir la historia evolutiva de flora nativa del Cono Sur, evaluando aspectos de su antigüedad, diversidad, neo- y paleo- endemismos, con el fin de aportar información tanto para la toma de decisiones de conservación como para proyectos de ciencia básica. Analizar la distribución de la flora vascular nativa del Cono Sur en el marco de un contexto filogenético datado nos permitirá evaluar varias predicciones provenientes de la biogeografía (e.g., si las Yungas y la Selva Paranaense son las regiones más diversas dentro del Cono Sur, si los linajes más antiguos se concentran en los bosques sub-antárticos o si existen cunas de reciente especiación a lo largo de los altos Andes). Evaluar si las zonas identificadas como de alta diversidad, alto endemismo, refugios o cunas de especiación se encuentran abarcadas por el actual sistema de áreas protegidas.Fil: Aagesen, Lone. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Acosta, Juan Manuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Aliscioni, Sandra Silvina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Belgrano, Manuel Joaquin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Bena, María Julia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Brignone, Nicolás Fernando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Denham, Silvia Suyai. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: de Tezanos Pinto, Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Donadío, Sabina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Freire, Susana Edith. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Giussani, Liliana Mónica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Guerreiro, Carolina Inés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Ihasz, Fernanda Vanesa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Lizarazu, Mabel Angela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Moroni, Pablo Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Martinez, Agustina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Martinez, Leandro Carlos Alcides. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Nicola, Marcela Viviana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: O'Leary, Nataly Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Ponce, Marta Monica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Pozner, Raúl Ernesto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Salariato, Diego Leonel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Abramo Barrera San Martin, Juca. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Santin, Franco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Scataglini, María Amalia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Sede, Silvana Mabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Suarez, Amalia Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Urtubey, Estrella. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Zuloaga, Fernando Omar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaXXXVIII Jornadas Argentinas de BotánicaArgentinaSociedad Argentina de Botánic

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Editorial for the Special Issue <i>Cyclospora cayetanensis</i> and Cyclosporiasis

Cyclosporiasis is a foodborne diarrheal illness caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis [...

Mind the Gap: New Full-Length Sequences of Blastocystis Subtypes Generated via Oxford Nanopore Minion Sequencing Allow for Comparisons between Full-Length and Partial Sequences of the Small Subunit of the Ribosomal RNA Gene

Blastocystis is a common food- and water-borne intestinal protist parasite of humans and many other animals. Blastocystis comprises multiple subtypes (STs) based on variability within the small subunit ribosomal (SSU rRNA) RNA gene. Though full-length reference sequences of the SSU rRNA gene are a current requirement to name a novel Blastocystis subtype, full-length reference sequences are not currently available for all subtypes. In the present study, Oxford Nanopore MinION long-read sequencing was employed to generate full-length SSU rRNA sequences for seven new Blastocystis subtypes for which no full-length references currently exist: ST21, ST23, ST24, ST25, ST26, ST27, and ST28. Phylogenetic analyses and pairwise distance matrixes were used to compare full-length and partial sequences of the two regions that are most commonly used for subtyping. Analyses included Blastocystis nucleotide sequences obtained in this study (ST21 and ST23–ST28) and existing subtypes for which full-length reference sequences were available (ST1–ST17 and ST29). The relationships and sequence variance between new and existing subtypes observed in analyses of different portions of the SSU rRNA gene are discussed. The full-length SSU rRNA reference sequences generated in this study provide essential new data to study and understand the relationships between the genetic complexity of Blastocystis and its host specificity, pathogenicity, and epidemiology

<i>Cyclospora cayetanensis</i>: A Perspective (2020–2023) with Emphasis on Epidemiology and Detection Methods

Cyclospora cayetanensis infections are prevalent worldwide, and the parasite has become a major public health and food safety concern. Although important efforts have been dedicated to advance toward preventing and reducing incidences of cyclosporiasis, there are still several knowledge gaps that hamper the implementation of effective measures to prevent the contamination of produce and water with Cyclospora oocysts. Some of these data gaps can be attributed to the fact that access to oocysts is a limiting factor in C. cayetanensis research. There are no animal models or in vivo or in vitro culture systems to propagate the oocysts needed to facilitate C. cayetanensis research. Thus, researchers must rely upon limited supplies of oocysts obtained from naturally infected human patients considerably restricting what can be learnt about this parasite. Despite the limited supply of C. cayetanensis oocysts, several important advances have happened in the past 3 years. Great progress has been made in the Cyclospora field in the areas of molecular characterization of strains and species, generation of genomes, and development of novel detection methods. This comprehensive perspective summarizes research published from 2020 to 2023 and evaluates what we have learnt and identifies those aspects in which further research is needed