Balantidiosis is a intestinal disease caused by the protozoan Balantidium coli. The parasite is found mainly in the intestines of pigs, being transmitted by the feces of the animals. The transmission of balantidiosis to humans occurs through the ingestion of water and contaminated food or contamination of the hands with infected feces.
By infecting the host, the Balantidium coli it installs itself in the large intestine, nourishing itself of the food dissolved there and reproducing itself. The protozoan can also invade the intestinal mucosa if it has any lesions.
The signals and symptons of balantidiosis may include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, presence of mucus and blood in the stool (dysentery), colic and dehydration.
The diagnosis is obtained by evaluating the symptoms and stool examination. The treatment of balantidiosis is done with milk-based diet and dairy products, which in many cases is enough to eliminate the parasite, since the Balantidium coli It feeds on starch (sugar in potatoes, rice, bread, corn and cassava).
When the dairy diet is not enough to cure balantidiosis, antibiotic medications such as tetracycline or medicines with antiprotozoal action, such as metronidazole.
In order to prevent balantidiosis, care should be taken of personal hygiene, especially people who have frequent contact with pigs, basic sanitation, cooking food well before eating, drinking boiled or treated water, and treating sick people so that they do not disease.
Doctors gastroenterologist or infectologist are the experts indicated to diagnose and treat balantidiosis.
