The balantidiasis is a disease of parasitic origina zoonosis, which is associated with intestinal infection in pig farming areas; its main host. It is rare in Western countries and affects, above all, people with a weakened immune system. If there is dehydration, balantidiasis can have very serious consequences.
Causes of balantidiasis
‘Balantidium coli’ parasite
Balantidiasis is caused by the ingestion of water and/or food contaminated with ‘Balantidium coli’ cysts whose membrane degrades with gastric juices in the host’s stomach and then passes to the small intestine and then to the colon where it reproduces. It is expelled in feces. The route of infection is fecal-oral.
Symptoms of balantidiasis
Alternating diarrhea and constipation
The incubation period is one to seven days and can occur with or without symptoms. Signs of balantidiasis are:
– Alternating diarrhea and constipation.
– Stools with mucus. Sometimes with blood or pus.
The acute or dysenteric form is characterized by:
– Multiple stools with blood and/or pus.
– Abdominal pain.
-Nausea.
– Involuntary weight loss.
– Incomplete emptying when evacuating.
– Dehydration.
If there is dehydration, balantidiasis can have very serious consequences.
Diagnosis of balantidiasis
stool examination
In addition to the physical examination, the description of symptoms and knowledge of travel to areas where this disease can be acquired where the parasite is endemic, as occurs in tropical or subtropical areas. Feces from several days will be collected to be studied in search of the parasite; A colonoscopy will be requested to check for ulcerations in the colon, perform a biopsy of the intestinal tissue and also perform colonic aspirations. An immunofluorescence test will also be performed to detect the presence of antibodies.
In the differential diagnosis, to rule out other causes, Crohn’s disease, amebiasis or salmonellosis will be included.
Balantidiasis treatment and medication
Antibiotic and antiparasitic
The antibiotic and antiparasitic metronidazole is the treatment of choice for this pathology.
Prevention of balantidiasis
Hygienic measures and food safety
The main prevention measures against balantidiasis are to maintain correct personal hygiene measures by washing your hands before eating and after going to the bathroom; after touching an animal…
It is also crucial to consume foods that have passed veterinary food safety controls and drink bottled beverages, avoiding ice whose origin is unsafe.
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