Balantidium coli: which is, life cycle, transmission and treatment
Balantidiosis is an infectious and contagious disease caused by the parasite Balantidium coli, which usually inhabits the intestines of pigs, but by ingesting water or food contaminated with pig faeces, humans can become infected.
- This human infection usually has no symptoms.
- However.
- When the parasite can enter the intestinal lining.
- It can cause diarrhea.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting and.
- In more severe cases.
- Abdominal bleeding.
- Which can be fatal.
Diagnosis is made by a parasitological examination of the stool, in which the person’s faeces are analyzed, and treatment is done with the use of antibiotics that have activity against protozoa, such as metronidazole and tetracycline.
Balantidiosis is transmitted by the ingestion of water or food contaminated with cysts, which are normally found in pigs.For example, close contact between pigs and humans, inadequate hygiene in pig hatcheries, and inadequate treatment of water and human waste are risk factors for infection.with this parasite.
The infectious form of the cyst is small, spherical or slightly oval and has a smooth wall.Humans typically acquire cysts by consuming contaminated food or water.The ingested cyst cannot enter the intestinal lining, so if the intestine is damaged, it can facilitate the entry of the parasite into the intestine.The cyst becomes a trophozoíto, which is a slightly larger structure and consists of cilia, and is reproduced by binary division or conjugation.
Trophozoids can be replicated in injuries, increasing initial injuries and even leading to local ulcers and necrosis.The result of the reproduction of the trophozoítes are the cysts, which are released into the faeces.
Most cases of infection with it are asymptomatic and people are considered reservoirs of the parasite; however, when the parasite can enter the intestinal lining, it can cause some symptoms, such as:
In more severe cases, Balantidium coli can compromise the intestinal lining and cause perforation and bleeding of the intestine, which can be fatal, in addition, by being able to produce an enzyme called hyaluronidase, this parasite can increase the initial injury and cause local injuries.necrosis, for example.
Some factors promote the most severe form of the disease, such as alcoholism, parasitic burden, nutritional status, and chronic diseases.
Because the symptoms of balantidiosis are similar to those of amebiasis, diagnosis is made by laboratory tests, such as stool examination, in which cysts form in the more rarely formed stool and trophozoids, which are normally present in the diarrhoeal stools.how the stool test is performed.
The treatment of balantidiosis is carried out with the use of active antibiotics against protozoa, such as metronidazole and tetracycline, which must be used following the doctor’s instructions, it is important to treat this parasitosis to avoid possible complications, such as dehydration and abdominal bleeding. , which can be fatal.
The best way to prevent balantidiosis is to improve the hygiene of people who have frequent contact with pigs, improve the rearing conditions of pigs so that their feces do not spread, and improve sanitary conditions to prevent pigs from reaching the supply of water that people can use. Discover some steps to avoid worms.