 |
Organism: Balantidium coli - cyst form | |
| Host: Pig | ||
| Preparation: Giemsa's stained faecal smear | ||
| Magnification:x400 |
B.coli is probably a normal constituent of most pig guts but occasionally gives rise to disease - swine dysentery if present in large numbers.
The form shown here is the cyst stage of the parasite. This is the environmentally resistant form of the parasite that is passed out with the faeces and is the infective form for the next host. The cyst is rounded and smaller than the trophozoite stage and has a thick outer wall to protect the parasite from desiccation. After staining the large nucleus can be clearly seen but contractile vacuoles are usually absent.
B.coli is a zoonosis with Man becoming infected through contamination of foodstuffs or hands with pig faeces.
See also