Balantidiasis in humans: pathogen, clinical symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention

Balantidiasis, in contrast to intestinal amoebiasis, is a pure zoonosis, i.e. animals suffer from the disease, which can infect humans.
Pigs, which are the main source of the pathogen for humans, play the main role in the epidemiology of this infectious pathology. Balantidium has also been found in dogs and rats, but they are not as important in the spread of the microorganism as pigs.
The main mechanism of transmission of balantidium is fecal–oral, it is realized mainly by water, in rare cases, soil or vegetables may be transmission factors.
Symptoms and clinical manifestations
The disease can be acute and chronic. The acute form is characterized by the appearance of symptoms of intoxication, abdominal pain and stool disorders. As a rule, diarrhea is observed, up to 20 times a day, the stool becomes scanty, has a mucous or hemorrhagic character, and pains throughout the abdomen are characteristic. Thus, badantidiasis can mimic amoebiasis or bacterial dysentery, with which a differential diagnosis should be made.
In cases where treatment is not carried out, the acute form, which can last 1-2 months, becomes chronic. Chronic balantidiasis can occur as a continuous or recurrent form. With a recurrent course, periods of exacerbations are replaced by periods of remission. There are signs of colitis and general toxic symptoms in the clinic, and the signs of colitis are predominant.
With a continuous form, the disease lasts for a long time, the condition may remain stable or gradually worsen. There are signs of colitis and intoxication in the clinic, which, however, are rather poorly expressed. A prolonged course of pathology can lead to the development of cachexia.
Diagnosis of balantidiasis is based on data from an epidemiological history (contact with pigs, stay in endemic areas), characteristic clinical manifestations of balantidiasis (signs of colitis combined with general intoxication), endoscopic examination data (characteristic ulcers in the mucous membrane), as well as a parasitological examination method (determination of the causative agent in feces or biopsy of ulcers allows to verify the diagnosis).
Treatment of balantidiasis
Antibiotics from the tetracycline group are used for treatment, which demonstrate fairly high efficacy in mild to moderate forms of the disease, as well as a combination of tetracyclines and monomycin in severe balantidase.
The course of treatment lasts 5-7 days, after 5 days it can be repeated, with severe forms of the disease, 2-3 courses of balantidiasis treatment may be necessary.
Metronidazole, quiniophone and ampicillin, which are considered reserve drugs, are also highly effective against the pathogen. In addition to etiotropic treatment of balantidiasis, it is always necessary to carry out pathogenetic treatment, in particular, detoxification and immunostimulating therapy.
In case of signs of acute appendicitis or the appearance of an acute abdominal clinic, emergency surgical treatment of balantidiasis complications is indicated. Treatment continues until all the symptoms of the disease are eliminated and a triple negative stool test for balantidium is obtained.
Measures for the specific prevention of balantidiasis have not been developed, prevention is limited solely to compliance with sanitary and hygienic rules for the care of pigs, as well as to the timely identification and treatment of patients. Register on the platform and input the code to improve your welcome package. 1xBet is a trusted site with a user-friendly interface and attractive promotions. Many newcomers appreciate the chance to receive free spins on popular slots. Use promo code for 1xbet india activates 130% up to $130 for the sports section and a casino package reaching up to $1950 with 150 free spins. This exclusive deal applies only to new registrations. Without entering the code, you get the standard bonus.