Balantidium spp. (2)

Question 1

What are the hosts?

Answer 1

Pigs

Rodents

Primates

Humans

Question 2

How do you identify?

Answer 2

Trophozoites

 - 50-150 micro m
 - Large for single cells
 - Covered in cilia
 - Kidney bean-shaped nucleus

Cysts

 - Up to 60 micro m
 - Not covered in cilia

Cilia evident on Trophozoites enclosed in a cyst

Question 3

Explain the life cycle

Answer 3

Cysts passed in feces

Cysts ingested

Trophozoites released in digestive tract

Undergo asexual (binary fission) multiplication in large intestine

Humans infected by contamination of food/hands with pigs feces

Question 4

What is the site of infection?

Answer 4

Large intestine

Question 5

Describe the Pathogenesis

Answer 5

May cause secondary disease in large intestine

Mild to severe enteritis

Dysentery (inflammation of colon)

Diarrhea in pigs and humans

Ulceration in humans

Question 6

How do you diagnose?

Answer 6

Trophozoites seen in direct fecal smear

Cyst most often seen (flotation or smear)

Question 7

How do you treat and prevent?

Answer 7

Tetracycline effective

Routine hygiene measures

Question 8

What is important about Balantidium spp.?

Answer 8

It is ZOONOTIC