Epidemiology
- Balantidium coli is a protozoa that can cause colitis
- Human balantidiasis is most prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions.
- The principal means for acquisition of infection by humans consist of porcine fecal contamination of food or water.
Clinical manifestations
- Most cases are asymptomatic; patients with debilitating conditions or other infections are at increased risk for developing symptomatic infection.
- Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, weight loss, abdominal pain, and prominent diarrhea that may be bloody.
- Fulminant disease with intestinal perforations occurs rarely and can be a potentially fatal septic complication.
Diagnosis
- The diagnosis of B. coli infection is established by microscopic detection of trophozoites or cysts in stool examinations or mucosal scrapings obtained at colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy
Treatment
- Tetracycline for treatment of B. coli
- Metronidazole is an alternative agent.