Balantidiasis

Balantidiasis: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention

Balantidiasis is a protozoal disease that is characterized by intoxication and ulcerative lesions of the colon. It tends to have a protracted and chronic course, as well as high mortality if therapy is started late. In this article we will look at the etiology, pathogenesis, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of balantidiasis.

Etiology and pathogenesis

Balantidiasis is caused by a pathogen - balantidia, which belongs to the class of ciliates. It occurs in vegetative form and in the form of cysts that are stable in the external environment. It is believed that one species of balantidia parasitizes humans and pigs. Human infection occurs when balantidia enter the digestive tract, where they can exist for a long time (in the small intestine) without causing disease. In some infected individuals, balantidia penetrate the tissues, causing hemorrhages, areas of necrosis and ulcers.

Symptoms and course

The incubation period of the disease lasts from 5 to 30 days (usually from 10 to 15 days). Acute forms of the disease are characterized by fever, symptoms of general intoxication and signs of intestinal damage (abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence, possible tenesmus). There is an admixture of mucus and blood in the stool. Characterized by spasm and soreness of the large intestine, enlarged liver. Sigmoidoscopy reveals a focal infiltrative-ulcerative process. In severe cases of the disease, intoxication, high fever, and stools up to 20 times a day mixed with mucus and blood with a putrid odor are noted. Patients quickly lose weight, and sometimes symptoms of peritoneal irritation appear. During sigmoidoscopy, extensive ulcerative lesions are identified.

In the chronic form of balantidiasis, the symptoms of intoxication are mild, there is no body temperature or it is normal, stools up to 23 times a day, liquid, with mucus, sometimes mixed with blood. On palpation, pain is predominantly in the cecum and ascending colon. Sigmoidoscopy can reveal typical ulcerative changes.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis of balantidiasis is confirmed by the detection of parasites in feces (stool examination). For this purpose, microscopic and culture methods are used. During microscopy, moving vegetative forms of balantidia and their cysts can be seen in stool preparations. In culture on special media, pure cultures of balantidia can be obtained. To clarify the diagnosis, additional studies may be performed, such as sigmoidoscopy, complete blood count and others.

Treatment

Treatment of balantidiasis is carried out using antiprotozoal drugs. Metronidazole, tinidazole, doxycycline, and furazolidone are usually used. The dosage and duration of treatment depend on the severity of the disease. In case of intestinal ulcers, drugs that reduce the acidity of gastric juice (for example, omeprazole) can be used. In severe cases, hospitalization and infusion therapy, rehabilitation therapy and other measures may be required.

Prevention

Prevention of balantidiasis comes down to following the rules of personal hygiene, processing and heat treatment of food products. Drinking raw water from unknown sources should be avoided. It is also important to observe measures to prevent epidemic diseases such as cholera, dysentery and others. Regular medical examination and examination of animals, especially pigs, are also important measures to prevent balantidiasis.

Balantidiasis is a disease of the intestinal tract that is caused by a parasite called balantidiasis. This is a single-celled microorganism that has a high level of resistance to antibiotic treatment and requires a specialized approach to diagnosis and treatment.

How does Balantidia infection occur? Balantidia is transmitted through contaminated water and food containing pathogens. Parasites can also be transmitted from person to person through contaminated hands or food. Once in the human body, balantidia begin to multiply rapidly in the intestines, causing unpleasant symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain and fatigue.

Symptoms of balantidiasis can occur in people of any age, but they most often occur in children and young adults. The main symptoms include bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain and other intestinal damage. In some cases, balantidiasis infection can lead to anemia, peritonitis and death

There are many different types of parasitic infections that can be transmitted through water or food. One of these infections is balantidiasis, which can cause serious illness in humans and animals.

Balantidiasis infection causes gastrointestinal diseases such as ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease and other types of disease. The balantidial parasite is a nematode about 50 millimeters long. It lives in the small intestine of animals and humans.

According to some researchers, balantidia may be useful in the fight against other parasites because they destroy the membrane of some types of parasites. The parasite can exist in the intestines for as long as 3 months, feeding on our secretions. In children and adults, the disease develops within 2 to 6 weeks. Symptoms include diarrhea and bleeding. Among adults this disease