Balantidium coli: B.coli is the largest ciliated protozoon found in humans.
Pigs, large primates and humans are the reservoir of the parasite.
Faecal-oral is the commonest mode of transmission
(other route are person-to-person and water).
(Life cycle.)
Balantidium coli: B.coli can cause a severe colitis with ulcerations like ameobiasis.
Large trophozoites are recognized in faeces by their size (50-80 by 40-60 µm)
and the presence of cilia.
(Trophozoite in fresh sample).
Balantidium coli: the large ciliated trophozoites have a cytostome
that continues in the cytopharynx,
2 contractile vacuoles controlling the osmotic pressure and two nuclei:
the micronucleus and the crescent-shaped macronucleus.
Balantidium coli: details of the trophozoite (cilia and cytostome).
(Wet mount preparation).
Balantidium coli: details of the trophozoite (cilia and macronucleus).
Balantidium coli: the trophozoite after excistation invades the submucosa
of the large intestine.
Trophozoites divide by binary fission within the submucosa.
Balantidium coli: diagnosis is obtained by microscopic observation of trophozoites
and/or cysts in faeces in fresh or formalin concentrated preparations.
Rectal biopsy can also provide specimens for diagnosis.
Balantidium coli: encystation happens in the lumen with the formation
of a mature cyst containing a single trophozoite.
Cysts are round and measure 55 µm.
Cysts are mature when they have a complete wall.
(Immature cyst at fresh examination).
Di Posting Oleh : Dorin Mutoif, Jurusan Kesehatan Lingkungan, poltekkes DEPKES Yogyakarta
D/a : Munggu, Petanahan, Kebumen, Jawa Tengah