Balantidiosis of pigs.

Question 1

Balantidium coli - FH

Answer 1

Pigs, human and monkeys

Question 2

Balantidium coli - location

Answer 2

Large intestine in the wall of colon

Question 3

Balantidium coli - life cycle

Answer 3

1) The cyst is found in environment (water). After ingestion, it excysts in the large intestine.
2) Trophozoites are released and migrates to the colon where they do TRANSVERSE BINARY FISSION - multiply - encyst - and excreted to the environment through defecation.
Through its life, the organism exists in two different forms:

• Infective cyst = this is capsulated form, cannot move, but can survive outside body due to protective covering
• Trophozoite = disease-producing form. Capable of moving, but cannot survive in environment.

Question 4

Balantidium coli - pathogenesis

Answer 4

• Non-pathogeni in most pigs:
• Can produce disease during stress, immunosuppression or poor hygiene
• Trophozoites invade colonic mucosa, secrete proteolytic enzymes that act on mucosal epithelium - cause ulceration, inflammation and necrosis, and may cause hemorrhagic colitis by penetrating deeper layers.
• Balantidine dysentery - haemorrhagic ulceration and diarrhoea.
• Acute and chronic abdominal symptoms - lesions & perforations of intestine.

Question 5

Balantidium coli - diagnosis

Answer 5

• Coprology - cyst stage
• Trophozoites released in feces after medication

Question 6

Balantidium coli - treatment

Answer 6

• Metronidazole
• Paromomycin
• Tetracycline
• Oxytetracycline
• Supportive

Question 7

Balantidium coli - morphology

Answer 7

Ciliated protozoa. Fecal-oral route.
They have cilia during some parts their life. Macronuclei and micronuclei. Cilia is pathogenic to humans.

Question 8

Balantidium coli - CS

Answer 8

Diarrhoea (bloody or mucoid)
Tenesmus (straining)
Weight loss
Dehydration