Diarrhea associated with Cyanobacterialike bodies in an immunocompetent host. An unusual epidemiological source.

OBJECTIVE

To describe a patient who developed diarrhea secondary to Cyanobacterialike bodies (CLBs) after exposure to contaminated water in his home.

DESIGN

Case report.

SETTING

General community.

PATIENT

Healthy, elderly man.

INTERVENTION

None, self-limited illness.

RESULTS

The patient's clinical course was consistent with illness caused by CLBs. Cyanobacterialike bodies were recovered from the patient's stool sample and the contaminated water to which he was exposed.

CONCLUSION

Internists and laboratory technicians should be aware of CLBs as a cause of protracted diarrhea in the community.