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Balantidium coli Homepage
   
 
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Adult Parasite:
 
The trophozoite is oval in shape and averages 75 x 50 um
in size, but varies from 30 to 100 um in width, and 30 to 300 um in length.
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Hosts:
- Pig (Sus scrofa), Guinea pig, Dog (Canis familiaris)
(rarely), Man (Homo sapiens), Monkey (various species).
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Life Cycle:
Balantidium coli is widely epidemic among the pig population of
the world. The adult resides in the large intestine and cecum. Cysts are expelled in
feces
and reinfect host via accidental ingestion. The parasite excysts in the host intestine.
The parasite normally feeds upon fecal material, starch granules, and cell fragments. The
ciliates often invade the mucosa and submucosa of the intestines and produce severe
ulcers, that are often flask like in shape.
NOTE: Trichuris suis, whipworm infection, often
occurs in conjunction with Balantidium coli infection in pigs.
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Site where adult parasite is found in host:
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Diagnostic Stage:
Common Diagnostic Test
Clinical Signs:
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Dysentery
- Weakness
- Poor growth
- Bloody and mucusoid stools
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Treatment:
- Dose: Dog and Cat: 30 mg/kg. SID, for 5 days , PO.
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