PHYLUM PROTOZOA CLASS CILIATA

ABOUT CLASS CILIATA:

Common name: Ciliates Description: - Class of protozoa having cilia (singular: cilium) or hair-like structures used for locomotion. Located on part or all of the surface during some part of the life cycle. - Outer envelope: Pellicle, a tough but flexible area. -Food absorption: carried out by gathering food particles with the cilia and forcing them down the gullet or cystostome, where a vacuole is produced which surrounds the food. - Digestion: done by internal enzymes - Excretion: Unused food is expulsed through the anal pore or cytopyge. - Respiration: Diffusion through the cell membrane - Reproduction: Attained by simple cell division or by complex exchange of genetic material -There are 7000 known species of ciliates, which may range in size from 10 micrometers to 2 millimeters - Found in all water environments - Although single-celled, some are large enough to be seen with the naked eye - Examples: Paramecium, Stentor, Vorticella, Tetrahymena thermophila

Balantidiasis
CILIATE: Balantidium coli -COMMON NAME: Balantidiosis, Ciliary dysentery - The ONLY ciliate that parasitizes humans - Widely distributed in warmer climates - Inhabits the large intestine, cecum and terminal ileum where they feed on bacteria - NO INTERMEDIATE HOST - RESERVOIR HOST: Pigs - OTHER infective hosts: Rodents, cows, and horses - DEFINITIVE HOST: humans - INFECTIVE STAGE: Mature cyst - MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Ingestion

General Discussion: Balantidiasis is a rare intestinal infection caused by the bacterium, Balantidium coli, a single celled parasite (ciliate protozoan) that frequently infects pigs but on occasion (rarely) infects humans. Some infected people may have no symptoms or only mild diarrhea and abdominal discomfort but others may experience more severe symptoms reminiscent of an acute inflammation of the intestines.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Chronic diarrhea Nausea Vomiting Abdominal pain Anorexia Weight loss Headache Colitis (inflammation of the colon) More severe and marked fluid loss Diarrhea or inflammation of the colon combined with abdominal cramps Bloody stools

DIAGNOSIS
Can be complicated, partly because symptom may or may not be present. It may be considered when a patient has diarrhea combined with a possible history of recent exposure to amebiasis through travel, contact with infected persons or pigs, or anal intercourse.

DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
Balantidiasis can be diagnosed through sampling of the patient's stools and searching for cysts or trophozoites under a microscope. One can also perform a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy to visually examine the intestinal lining and to obtain a biopsy from the large intestines can also provide evidence for the presence of trophozoites.

TREATMENT
Balantidiasis can be treated with tetracycline, carbarsone, metronidazole or diiodohydroxyquin. Alternative drugs that have proven effective in treating balantidiasis include iodoquinol or paromomycin.

PREVENTION
Purification of drinking water Proper handling of food Careful disposal of human feces Monitoring the contacts of balantidiasis patients Avoiding contact with pigs and fertilizer that is contaminated with pig excrement can decrease the risk

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