Acute balantidiasis is a very serious infectious disease that is caused by parasites called balantidia. These parasites can only infect humans through the gastrointestinal tract, causing severe toxicosis and intoxication. Acute balantidiasis is a life-threatening disease that can be fatal. Treatment of this disease requires urgent consultation with a doctor and the use of antibacterial drugs.
Signs of acute balantidiasis can vary, but the main symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. Changes in the blood may also occur, such as increased levels of white blood cells, lymphocytes, and monocytes. Complications of acute balantidiasis include dysbiosis, damage to the liver, kidneys and other organs.
Treatment of acute balantidiasis includes antibiotics such as metronidazole, aminoglycosides, ciprofloxacin and tinidazole. The course of treatment lasts from 7 to 21 days, but in severe cases it may require longer treatment. It is important not to interrupt treatment after symptoms disappear, as the infection can be tolerated without symptoms for several months.
Causes of acute balantideosis. The causative agent is balantidia - tapeworms that parasitize the human large intestine. With massive penetration into the small intestine or with a generalized process of penetration, they reach the cecum and appendix, enter the gastrointestinal contents and are released out, which leads to the occurrence of intestinal toxocariasis. The length of stay of the pathogen in the intestine is determined by the level of viremia, the activity of the immune system, the stage of the disease, treatment and timely diagnosis. The drug of choice for the treatment of balantidia is antibiotics.
The prognosis is generally favorable, since the vast majority of cases of acute balantidiasis are cured. However, some cases have serious complications, including intestinal dysbiosis, intestinal perforation, and ischemic colitis. Patients with reduced liver function, cardiovascular disease and diabetes have a higher risk of complications than healthy people. If symptoms of acute balantidiasis appear, you should immediately consult a doctor.