10 Questions
What is the diagnostic stage of Balantidium coli?
Trophozoite & Cyst
What is the infective stage of Balantidium coli?
Cyst
What is the drug of choice for treating Balantidium coli?
Tetracycline and metronidazole
What is the morphology of Balantidium coli cysts?
Spherical, surrounded by thick and transparent double layered wall
What are the two non-identical nuclei present in Balantidium coli trophozoites?
A large kidney bean–shaped macronucleus and a small nucleus (micronucleus)
What is the size range of Balantidium coli trophozoites?
30 to 120 μm by 30 to 80 μm
Describe the morphology of Balantidium coli cysts.
Cysts are spherical in shape and surrounded by thick and transparent double layered wall.
What are the symptoms of chronic balantidiasis?
Patients may have diarrhea.
How is the laboratory diagnosis of Balantidium coli performed?
Microscopic examination of feces for trophozoite and cysts is performed, and biopsy may be taken from the large bowel.
What is the infective stage of Balantidium coli and how does it enter the host?
The infective stage is the cyst, which enters the host through contaminated food and water.
Study Notes
Diagnostic Stage
- The diagnostic stage of Balantidium coli is the trophozoite stage.
Infective Stage
- The infective stage of Balantidium coli is the cyst stage.
- The cysts enter the host through contaminated food and water, or direct contact with infected feces.
Treatment
- The drug of choice for treating Balantidium coli is tetracycline.
Morphology of Cysts
- Balantidium coli cysts are spherical or oval in shape, and range in size from 40-60 μm.
- Cysts have a thick, hyaline wall and contain a mass of granules and vacuoles.
Trophozoites
- Balantidium coli trophozoites have two non-identical nuclei, a macronucleus and a micronucleus.
- Trophozoites are large, ranging in size from 30-150 μm x 20-60 μm.
Symptoms of Chronic Balantidiasis
- Symptoms include chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss.
Laboratory Diagnosis
- Laboratory diagnosis is performed through microscopic examination of stool or tissue samples.
- The presence of trophozoites or cysts in stool samples is diagnostic for Balantidium coli infection.
Test your knowledge about the characteristics of Balantidium coli, the only pathogenic ciliate and largest protozoan parasite found in the human body. Learn about its morphology, life cycle, and diagnostic stages.
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