File:Balanditium.jpg
Balantidium coli - trofozoite and cyst - Wikimedia Commons
- Ciliate protozoan found as a commensal in the lumen of the large intestine
- Infects pigs and other animals
- Including humans
Recognition
- Ciliate
- 80μm long
- Funnel-shaped depressions leading to the cytostome (mouth)
- Kidney shaped macronucleus
- Small micronucleus
- Contractile and food vacuoles
Life Cycle
- Reproduce by binary fission
- Thick-walled cysts pass out with faeces
- Ensure infection of a new host
Pathogenesis
- Pigs
- Usually commensal
- May cause ulceration and dysentery if the intestinal mucosa is damaged already as parasite will become invasive
- Man
- Causes ulceration and dysentery
- Infection via consuming contaminated foodstuffs and contact with infected pig faeces