Balantidiosis is an infectious and contagious disease caused by the parasite Balantidium coli , which usually inhabits the intestines of pigs, but that through the consumption of water or food contaminated by the feces of pigs, man can become infected.
This human infection usually has no symptoms, however, when the parasite can penetrate the intestinal mucosa, it can cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and, in more severe cases, abdominal bleeding, which can be fatal.
The diagnosis is made through parasitological examination of feces, in which the person's feces are analyzed, and treatment is made with the use of antibiotics that have activity against protozoa, such as Metronidazole and Tetracycline.
Life cycle
Balantidiosis is transmitted through the ingestion of water or food contaminated by Balantidium coli cyst, which are normally found in pigs. Thus, close contact between pigs and humans, inadequate hygiene in pig breeding sites and inadequate treatment of water and human waste are risk factors for infection with this parasite.
The infectious form of Balantidium coli is the cyst, which is small, spherical or slightly oval and has a smooth wall. Human beings acquire cysts normally through consumption of contaminated water or food. The ingested cyst is unable to penetrate the intestinal mucosa, so when there is damage to the intestine, the parasite's entry into the intestine can be facilitated. The cyst develops to trophozoite, which is a slightly larger structure and consists of cilia, and which reproduces by binary division or by conjugation.
The trophozoites can replicate within the lesions, increasing the initial lesions and even leading to the formation of ulcers and local necrosis. The result of the reproduction of trophozoites is the cysts, which are released in the feces.
Main symptoms
Most cases of infection by Balantidium coli are asymptomatic, and people are considered reservoirs of the parasite. However, when the parasite is able to penetrate the intestinal mucosa, it can cause some symptoms, such as:
- Diarrhea or dysentery; Abdominal pain; Weight loss; Nausea and vomiting; Ulcer formation; Fever.
In more severe cases, Balantidium coli can compromise the intestinal mucosa and lead to perforation and bleeding of the intestine, which can be fatal. In addition, as it is capable of producing an enzyme called hyaluronidase, this parasite can increase the initial lesion and cause local necrosis, for example.
Some factors favor the most severe form of the disease, such as alcoholism, parasitic load, nutritional status and chronic diseases.
As the symptoms of balantidiosis are similar to those of amebiasis, the diagnosis is made through laboratory tests, such as stool examination, in which cysts are formed in the formed stools, which is more rare, and trophozoites, which are normally present in diarrheal stools. See how the stool test is done.
How the treatment is done
The treatment of balantidiosis is done with the use of antibiotics that have activity against protozoa, such as Metronidazole and Tetracycline, which should be used according to the doctor's guidance. It is important to carry out treatment against this parasitosis to avoid possible complications, such as dehydration and abdominal bleeding, for example, which can be fatal.
The best way to prevent balantidiosis is by improving the hygiene of people who have frequent contact with pigs, improving the conditions for raising pigs, so that their feces are not spread, and improving sanitary conditions to prevent feces pigs reach the water supply for people to use. Check out some measures to prevent worms.
