Gastro-Intestinal Tract :

Intestinal Protozoa

Balantidium coli

 balantidosis / balantidiasis
Host : human, pigs and monkey
Cosmopolitans , in Indonesia the
prevalence is low
High prevalence in pigs

Morphology
The largest
intestinal
protozoa
Size: 60 -70
Habitat : colon,
>> caecum

Life cycle

Stadium trophozoite
Shape: Oval, covered with cillia
cytostome at the anterior end and cytopyge
at posterior end
Nucleus: macronucleus (kidney shape) and
micronucleus (spherical)
Reproduction: transversal binary fission
and sexual conjugation

Reproduction:

Cyst
spherical, ovoid
size : 60
Macronucleus clearly
seen
In feces: survive
within 1 2 days in
room temperature
Function: for
protection

Pathogenesis
Method of infection: ingestion of cyst
Exystation: at duodenum and usually
resides in the lumen of its host
trophozoites can invade the mucosa of
the cecum and colon
ulcerations.
The parasite secretes a substance called
hyaluronidase enzyme
Colitis with
multiple abscess

Clinical symptom

Mild infection: asymptomatic

Acute : dysentry
Chronic: diarrhea with constipation
abdominal pain, nausea
weight loss

Diagnosis
Balantidiasis should be considered if the
patient works closely with pigs

Detection of:
Trophozoites in liquid stool or biopsy
Cyst in formed stool

Histopathology:

Epidemiology
zoonosis
Influence by :
Individual hygiene and environment
sanitation
can be prevented by improved
hygiene practices, water sanitation,
and proper disposal of fecal material