Balantidiasis

Introduction. 

Balantidium coli is a ciliated protozoan found in contaminated water. If cysts are ingested, they can germinate and cause an intestinal infection with abdominal pain and bloody stools. Balantidium has an animal reservoir (zoonotic).

Summary

• Cause: Balantidium coli
• Microscopy: Ciliated protozoan
• Transmission: Contaminated water via animal reservoir (pigs, monkeys)
• Life cycle
• Symptoms: Abdominal pain, bloody stools, nausea, anorexia
• Complications: Ulceration due to invasion of colon wall
• Pathogenesis: Cytotoxins, hyaluronidase damage colon epithelium
• Treatment: Tetracycline, metronidazole