Balantidium coli (Malmstein, 1857) in Zulia State, Venezuela

Abstract:

Balantidium coli is the only pathogenic ciliate of medical importance in man. It is practically innocuous to the pig, which is its normal host; while it becomes pathogenic for the human host, causing ulcerative invasion of the colon wall and causing severe dysentery. Here are reported several cases of balantidiasis detected in indigenous communities of Zulia state, Venezuela. As a common characteristic of the described cases here, it is observed that those affected by the infection were children, with heterogeneous stool samples. The evolutionary form detected was in all cases trophozoites and some cysts. Although no survey was conducted, it was notable the existence of pets and contact with pigs in affected individuals. All the individuals were indigenous, with poor hygienic conditions, previous reports agree on this assessment. It is remarkable the fact that, B. coli has been present in the indigenous communities of Zulia state for a long time. This situation favors the realization of studies directed to the parasite in these communities of risk and thus to know the real prevalence of this ciliate.

Año de publicación:

2019

Keywords:

Fuente:

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