Balantidium coli: Difference between revisions
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Balantidium coli
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* Trophozoites migrate to the large bowel, where they form cysts in the bowel wall and reproduce |
* Trophozoites migrate to the large bowel, where they form cysts in the bowel wall and reproduce |
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| − | == Clinical |
+ | == Clinical Manifestations == |
* Mostly asymptomatic |
* Mostly asymptomatic |
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* Can cause a chronic intermittent diarrhea with abdominal pain and weight loss |
* Can cause a chronic intermittent diarrhea with abdominal pain and weight loss |
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Revision as of 08:36, 23 July 2020
- Largest protozoan
Background
Microbiology
- Largest protozoan parasite
- Only ciliated protozoan that infects humans
Epidemiology
- Worldwide distribution but most common in Latin America, Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea, and the Middle East
- Found in contaminated food and water
- Domestic and wild pigs are the main reservoir, but has been found in other mammals
Life Cycle
- Ingestion of cysts
- In the small bowel, the cysts release trophozoites
- Trophozoites migrate to the large bowel, where they form cysts in the bowel wall and reproduce
Clinical Manifestations
- Mostly asymptomatic
- Can cause a chronic intermittent diarrhea with abdominal pain and weight loss
- Rarely presents with bloody stools and fulminant colitis
- May be complicated by intestinal perforation
- Case reports of pulmonary and urinary tract infections
Diagnosis
- Stool O&P for rapidly motile trophozoites
- Cysts are rarely seen
Management
- First-line: tetracycline 500 mg po qid for 10 days
- Alternatives:
- metronidazole 750 mg po tid for 5 days
- iodoquinol 650 mg po tid for 20 days
