Page 84 - Medical Parasitology_ A Textbook ( PDFDrive )

Balantidium coli 77

2

The cyst is the infectious
stage and is acquired by
the host through ingestion Some trophozoites invade
the wall of the colon.
of contaminated food or
water.

= Infective Stage i d
1 Cyst
= Diagnostic Stage

3 4 5
Cyst
Trophozoite

Fig. 9.2 Life cycle of Balantidium coli (Reproduced from https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/balantidia-
sis/index.html)

Treatment

Tetracycline (500 mg orally 4 times/day for 10 days) is the drug of choice and doxy-
cycline is an alternative drug. Metronidazole and nitroimidazole have been reported
to be useful.