Balantidium coli: Difference between revisions
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Balantidium coli
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== Background == |
== Background == |
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=== Microbiology === |
=== Microbiology === |
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| − | * Largest protozoan |
+ | * Largest protozoan parasite |
* Only ciliated protozoan that infects humans |
* Only ciliated protozoan that infects humans |
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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 |
+ | * Can cause a chronic intermittent diarrhea with abdominal pain and weight loss |
* Rarely presents with bloody stools and fulminant colitis |
* Rarely presents with bloody stools and fulminant colitis |
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** May be complicated by intestinal perforation |
** May be complicated by intestinal perforation |
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Balantidium coli''}} |
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Balantidium coli''}} |
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| − | [[Category: |
+ | [[Category:Ciliates]] |
[[Category:Gastrointestinal infections]] |
[[Category:Gastrointestinal infections]] |
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| + | [[Category:Infectious diseases]] |
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Latest revision as of 10:24, 7 August 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
