AI Article Synopsis
- The case involves an alcoholic pork-butcher diagnosed with severe colitis and peritonitis caused by the protozoan Balantidium coli, which can infect humans.
- This parasite is primarily found in pigs and is rare in humans, especially in developed countries like France, where it is mostly contracted through contaminated food or water.
- Treatment is effective with specific antibiotics, highlighting the need for awareness of this parasitic infection in patients with bloody diarrhea.
Article Abstract
The case reported here concerns an alcoholic pork-butcher who presented with severe colitis with peritonitis, caused by the only ciliate protozoan capable of infecting humans, Balantidium coli. This parasite is common in a variety of domestic and wild mammals, mainly pigs; however, its prevalence rate in humans is very low--particularly in industrialised, northern countries, including France. The infection is most frequently acquired by ingesting food or water contaminated by pig faeces, and it may be asymptomatic or may cause acute diarrhoea. Specific antibiotic treatment is efficacious, and it is important to consider the risk of this parasitic disease in susceptible patients presenting with bloody diarrhoea.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10096-004-1126-4 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!