Korean J Perinatol.
2008 Mar;19(1):84-87.
A case of Balantidium coli in the gastric juice of a neonate
- Affiliations
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- 1Departments of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, Daegu, S. Korea. wootykim@cu.ac.kr
Abstract
- Balantidium coli is the only pathogenic ciliate parasitizing humans. Balantidium coli is widely distributed in hogs, particularly in warm and temperate climates, and in monkeys in the tropics. It is infrequently pathogenic for man. Balantidium coli is considered as a possible pathogen in immunocompromised patients. The infection fundamentally affects the colon and cause variable clinical pictures, from asymptomatic to serious dysenteric forms. Apart from intestinal involvement there have been reports on lung, liver, vagina infection by Balantidium coli. Balantidium coli were observed in the gastric juice of neonate. this is first report of asymptomatic balantidiasis in neonate.