Balantidium coli in an Asymptomatic Patient: A Case Report.
- Author:
Yeonsook MOON
1
;
Han Sung KIM
;
Chung Hyun NAHM
;
Jong Weon CHOI
Author Information
1. Department of Laboratory Medicine, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Balantidium coli;
Trophozoite;
Asymptomatic
- MeSH:
Amebiasis;
Balantidiasis;
Balantidium*;
Child, Preschool;
Climate;
Dysentery;
Female;
Haplorhini;
Herpes Zoster;
Humans;
Korea;
Trophozoites;
Urinary Tract Infections
- From:The Korean Journal of Laboratory Medicine
2004;24(4):234-236
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Balantidium coli is widely distributed in hogs, particularly in warm and temperate climates, and in monkeys in the tropics. B. coli is the only pathogenic ciliate and is the largest protozoan parasitizing humans. Some individuals with B. coli infections are totally asymptomatic, whereas others have symptoms of severe dysentery similar to those seen in patients with amebiasis. We report a 5-year-old girl with asymptomatic balantidiasis. The patient was suffering from herpes zoster for several days. She did not have symptoms of dysentery or urinary tract infection. Motile trophozoites of B. coli were observed in the urinary sediment. This is the first report of asymptomatic balantidiasis in Korea.
