Balantidium coli: Difference between revisions
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==Background== | ==Background== | ||
*Infection of large intestine by parasite, ''[[Balantidium coli]]'' | *Infection of large intestine by parasite, ''[[Balantidium coli]]'' | ||
** | **Large, ciliated protozoan | ||
** | **Simple life cycle: dormant cyst to trophozoite to cyst | ||
*Reservoir host is pig (asymptomatic) | *Reservoir host is pig (asymptomatic) | ||
*Pig sheds feces with cysts => contaminated water and food => ingested by humans => parasite resides in large intestine | *Pig sheds feces with cysts => contaminated water and food => ingested by humans => parasite resides in large intestine | ||
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**Opportunistic infection | **Opportunistic infection | ||
*Human-to-human transmission via fecal-oral route as well | *Human-to-human transmission via fecal-oral route as well | ||
*Worldwide prevalence 0.02-1% . | *Worldwide prevalence 0.02-1%<ref>Schuster FL and Ramirez-Avila L. Current World Status of Balantidium coli. Clin. Microbiol. 2008; 21(4):626–638.</ref> and found wherever pigs are found | ||
*Risk factors: | *Risk factors: | ||
**Close contact between human and pigs | **Close contact between human and pigs | ||
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*IBD | *IBD | ||
== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
*Stool samples over several days (excretion of parasites can be erratic) | *Stool samples over several days (excretion of parasites can be erratic) | ||
*Wet mount slide preparation: large 150-200um ovoid shape with cilia, swimming aimlessly in circles | *Wet mount slide preparation: large 150-200um ovoid shape with cilia, swimming aimlessly in circles | ||
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==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
*[http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/balantidium/ CDC - Parasites - Balantidiasis] | |||
== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | |||
[[Category:ID]] | [[Category:ID]] |
Revision as of 13:38, 26 June 2016
Background
- Infection of large intestine by parasite, Balantidium coli
- Large, ciliated protozoan
- Simple life cycle: dormant cyst to trophozoite to cyst
- Reservoir host is pig (asymptomatic)
- Pig sheds feces with cysts => contaminated water and food => ingested by humans => parasite resides in large intestine
- Parasite usually resides in lumen of intestine but can also penetrate mucosa
- Opportunistic infection
- Human-to-human transmission via fecal-oral route as well
- Worldwide prevalence 0.02-1%[1] and found wherever pigs are found
- Risk factors:
- Close contact between human and pigs
- Lack of appropriate waste disposal that can contaminate drinking water sources
- Subtropical/tropical climates (warmth and humidity favor survival of cyst)
- Compromised immune system, elderly, malnourished, alcoholics
Clinical Features
- Range of mild to severe disease
- Asymptomatic hosts (usually immunocompetent)
- Chronic infection: non-bloody diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain
- Fulminant balantidiasis: mucoid, bloody stools
- Rarely, colonic perforation
- Extra-intestinal cases are rare
- Rarely infecting lungs causing pneumonia or pulmonary hemorrhage
- Mostly seen in elderly or immunocompromised
- Death is rare
Differential Diagnosis
Diagnosis
- Stool samples over several days (excretion of parasites can be erratic)
- Wet mount slide preparation: large 150-200um ovoid shape with cilia, swimming aimlessly in circles
- If suspect infection of pulmonary system, perform BAL
Management
- Metronidazole or
- Adults: 500-750mg tid x 5 days
- Peds: 35-50 mg/kg/day in 3 doses x 5 days (max: 2g/day)
- Tetracycline or
- Adult: 500mg qid x 10 days
- Peds (>8yo): 40 mg/kg/day in 4 doses x 10 days (max: 2g/day)
- Iodoquinol
- Adults: 650mg tid x 20 days
- Peds: 30-40 mg/kg/day in 3 doses x 20 days (max: 2g/day)
Disposition
- Home if no complications in pt who is well-hydrated
- Admit if needing fluid hydration, fulminant balantidiasis, or any complication
See Also
External Links
References
- ↑ Schuster FL and Ramirez-Avila L. Current World Status of Balantidium coli. Clin. Microbiol. 2008; 21(4):626–638.