BALANTIDIUM COLI Meaning and
Definition
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Balantidium coli is a unicellular, parasitic protozoan belonging to the kingdom Protista and phylum Ciliophora. It is one of the largest protozoan parasites infecting humans and animals. Balantidium coli primarily resides in the colon and causes a disease called balantidiasis or balantidial dysentery.
The organism has an ovoid or ellipsoidal shape, measuring about 50-200 micrometers in length. It possesses a ciliated covering known as the peristome, which enables it to move by crawling and swimming in the liquid environment of the large intestine. The cilia also aid in capturing and ingestion of food particles.
Transmission of Balantidium coli occurs through ingestion of contaminated food, water, or direct contact with feces containing the infective cysts. Once inside the host, the cysts release trophozoites, the active feeding and multiplying form of the parasite. The trophozoites attach to the colon wall using their cilia and feed on bacteria present in the fecal matter.
Symptoms of balantidiasis include diarrhea (often containing blood or mucus), abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and occasionally fever. In severe cases, the infection can lead to dysentery and intestinal perforation.
Treatment for balantidiasis typically involves administration of antibiotics such as tetracycline or metronidazole to eliminate the parasites. Preventive measures include proper hygiene practices, ensuring the consumption of clean water and food, and avoiding contact with feces.
In conclusion, Balantidium coli is a large parasitic protozoan that infects the colon, causing balantidiasis. Understanding its life cycle and means of transmission is crucial for effective diagnosis
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Paramecium coli, a parasitic infusorian in the rectum of man and other vertebrates; whether it is pathogenic or not is disputed.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for BALANTIDIUM COLI
- valantidium coli
- nalantidium coli
- halantidium coli
- galantidium coli
- bzlantidium coli
- bslantidium coli
- bwlantidium coli
- bqlantidium coli
- bakantidium coli
- bapantidium coli
- baoantidium coli
- balzntidium coli
- balsntidium coli
- balwntidium coli
- balqntidium coli
- balabtidium coli
- balamtidium coli
- balajtidium coli
- balahtidium coli
- balanridium coli
Etymology of BALANTIDIUM COLI
The word Balantidium coli has its etymology rooted in Greek and Latin.
The term Balantidium comes from the Greek words balantion meaning sail or pouch and -idion, a diminutive ending. It was given this name due to the organism's characteristic sail-like appearance when observed under a microscope.
The word coli is derived from the Latin term colon, which means large intestine or colon. This name was assigned to the organism as it is commonly found in the large intestine of infected individuals.
Therefore, Balantidium coli essentially translates to sail-like organism from the colon.
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