Balantidiasis is a parasitic infection caused by Balantidium coli. People who ingest the contaminated food or water that contains the protozoan are likely to develop this infection. It causes diarrhea and stomach pain since the parasite affects the large intestine. The parasites exist in the form of trophozoite or cysts and multiply by binary fission attacking caecum to rectum of large intestine.
Causes :
Balantidium coli cause balantidiasis infection which lives in the host like pigs and other animals.
Prevalence :
Balantidiasis infection is not found in the USA but is common in under-developed countries and that too in the tropical regions. Southeast Asia, Latin America and New Guinea are the regions prone to Balantidiasis infection. People who breed pigs as means of living are more likely to get this infection. Humans who live in the regions where pigs are raised are at high risk.