MMI 426 - Lec 10 Balantidium + Cryptosporidium

is balantidium coli zoonotic

yes, it is associated with porcine

definitive host for balantidium coli

porcine

is human to human transmission for balantidium coli common

no it is rare

largest ciliate protozoan infecting humans

balantidium coli--also infects non-human primates

features of balantidium coli trophozoites

• unicellular
• ciliated
• vestibule anterior to mouth
• cytosome = mouth
• macro/micronucleus

features of balantidium coli cysts

• tough membrane
• no nuclear/cytoplasmic division

what is the transmissive stage of balantidium coli

its cyst stage

reproducitive processes of balantidium coli

1. asexual (transverse fission)
2. sexual (via conjugation then binary fission)

what is the life cycle for balantidium coli

1. ingestion, hatching
2. gut invasion
3. encystation (trophs)
4. excretion (cysts)

what is the infective stage for balantidium coli

cysts = infective stage

what is the diagnostic stage for balantidium coli

cysts in formed stool

what are the colonic lesions caused by balantidium coli

nides or nest

what enzyme facilitates the gut wall invasion by balantidium coli

hyaluronidase (degrades intestinal tissue and hyaluronic acid that holds mucous and tissue together)

what happens following the gut wall invasion by balantidium coli

• bacterial invasion/inflammatory reaction
• mucosal ulcers
• subsurface abscesses
• hemorrhage/necrosis

where does extraintestinal invasion by balantidium coli occur

appendix

symptomatology of balantidium coli

1. asymptomatic (humans + pigs)
2. diarrhea -> dysentery (similar to E. histolytica)

rare symptoms of balantidium coli infection

appendicitis, UTI, vaginitis, cervicitis

reservoirs for balantidium coli

mainly pig (75%) but also monkey, dogs, cats, cattle, sheep, and rate

route of transmission for balantidium coli

fecal oral route

risk factors for balantidium coli infection

pig farmers, slaughterhouse workers, veterinarians

diagnostic methods for balantidium coli

stool microscopy, tissue biopsy, cultivation

prevention methods for balantidium coli infection

1. sanitation/hygiene
2. prevent contamination of water source by pigs/human feces