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Volume 14
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10.3390/pathogens14050430
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Article

Detectability and Persistence of Cyclospora cayetanensis Oocysts in Artificially Contaminated Soil and Fresh Herbs Grown Under Controlled Climatic Conditions

by
Ellie L. Rogers
1,2,
Joseph Arida
1,2,
John Grocholl
2,
Joyce Njoroge
2 and
Sonia Almeria
2,*
1
Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN), University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
2
Virology and Parasitology Branch, Division of Food and Environmental Safety, Office of Applied Microbiology and Technology, Office of Laboratory Operations and Applied Sciences, Human Food Program (HFP), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Laurel, MD 20708, USA
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Pathogens 2025, 14(5), 430; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14050430
Submission received: 3 April 2025 / Revised: 24 April 2025 / Accepted: 25 April 2025 / Published: 28 April 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Parasitic Pathogens)
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Abstract

Cyclospora oocysts are thought to be highly resistant in the environment but the climatic factors which determine the presence/persistence of Cyclospora oocysts are currently unknown. The main objective of this study was to determine the effects of temperature, water content, and soil texture on C. cayetanensis detection/persistence in artificially contaminated soil and herbs grown under controlled environmental conditions. Soil and leaves of three potted herbs (cilantro, parsley, and basil) grown in growth chambers and inoculated with C. cayetanensis oocysts were collected at 7, 14, 21, 28–31, 35–38, 42–45, 49–52, and 56 days post inoculation (dpi). Under wet watering conditions, independent of temperature, positive C. cayetanensis detection was observed at each sampling collection in both soil and herb leaves. Additionally, all three herbs were found to be positive for the parasite throughout the study duration in arid watering conditions. Conversely, short-lived persistence in soil was observed under arid conditions independent of temperature in Sandy Clay Loam soil (up to 14 dpi) and in Silt Loam soil (up to 21 dpi). Our results on the effect of desiccation on the presence and persistence of oocysts may provide useful insights for the proper cleaning and sanitizing of utensils or food contact surfaces to help control the persistence of the parasite.
Keywords: protozoa parasite; sandy clay loam; silt loam; basil; parsley; cilantro; growth chambers; presence. protozoa parasite; sandy clay loam; silt loam; basil; parsley; cilantro; growth chambers; presence.

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MDPI and ACS Style

Rogers, E.L.; Arida, J.; Grocholl, J.; Njoroge, J.; Almeria, S. Detectability and Persistence of Cyclospora cayetanensis Oocysts in Artificially Contaminated Soil and Fresh Herbs Grown Under Controlled Climatic Conditions. Pathogens 2025, 14, 430. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14050430

AMA Style

Rogers EL, Arida J, Grocholl J, Njoroge J, Almeria S. Detectability and Persistence of Cyclospora cayetanensis Oocysts in Artificially Contaminated Soil and Fresh Herbs Grown Under Controlled Climatic Conditions. Pathogens. 2025; 14(5):430. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14050430

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rogers, Ellie L., Joseph Arida, John Grocholl, Joyce Njoroge, and Sonia Almeria. 2025. "Detectability and Persistence of Cyclospora cayetanensis Oocysts in Artificially Contaminated Soil and Fresh Herbs Grown Under Controlled Climatic Conditions" Pathogens 14, no. 5: 430. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14050430

APA Style

Rogers, E. L., Arida, J., Grocholl, J., Njoroge, J., & Almeria, S. (2025). Detectability and Persistence of Cyclospora cayetanensis Oocysts in Artificially Contaminated Soil and Fresh Herbs Grown Under Controlled Climatic Conditions. Pathogens, 14(5), 430. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14050430

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