Ciliophora

Balantidium coli
 Balantidium coli
• Is the only ciliate parasite of humans
• Is the largest protozoan parasite of humans
• Was fist described by Malmsten in 1857
• WW distribution
– Lower prevalence
• Habitat
– Large intestine of man, pigs & monkeys
 Balantidium coli
• Morphology
– It occurs in 2 stages
– Trophozoite
• Oval & large (60-70 µmx 40-50 µm)
• Covered with delicate cilia
• Cytostome …mouth
• Cytopyge ---anal pore
• Has 2 nuclei, food & contractile vacoules
 Morphology cont’d…
• Cyst
– Spherical in shape
– 40-60µm
– Surrounded by thick transparent double-
layered wall
– Granular cytoplasm
– Contains 2 nuclei, food & contractile
vacuoles
 Life cycle
• Natural host: pig
• Accidental host: Man
• Reservoirs : pig, monkey, rat
• Infective form: cyst
• Mode of transmission: feco-oral
• Excystation: small intestine
• 1 trophozoite/cyst
• Reproduction:transverse BF/rarely conjugation
 Pathogenesis
• In healthy individuals B.coli lives as lumen
commensal
• Clinical features
– Resembles amoebiasis
– Frank dysentery with abdominal colic, tenesmus,
nausea, vomiting
– Ulcers may be secondarily infected by bacteria
– Occasionally, intestinal perforation may occur
 Laboratory diagnosis
• Demonstration of trophozoites/ cysts
• Trophozoites are recognized by their;
– Large size
– Macronucleus
– Rapid-revolving motility
 Prophylaxis
• Treatment
– Tetracycline
– Doxycycline
• Prevention & control
– Avoid contamination of food/water with animal
feces
– Manage man-pig contact
– Treat infected pigs
– Treat infected people