Balantidiasis

McCarey, A. G (1950) Balantidiasis. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Balantidium Coli, a ciliate first described by Malmsten in 1857, is an infrequent cause of dysentery in man. It is a common inhabitant of the intestine of pigs. It produces lesions in man, mainly in the large intestine, these lesions being indistinguishable from amoebic ulceration. Perforation of the ileum is recorded, but is very rare. The parasite invades blood vessels and lymphatics of the gut, but has never been known to cause liver abscess. Balantidiasis is usually a mild or chronic disease. It is diagnosed by finding the ciliate or cysts in the stools. A mortality rate of 7% - 29% has been quoted. Treatment has so far been varied. Few workers have had success using the same drugs. The outbreak described occurred among the native artisans and labourers employed by the Anglo-Iranian Oil Co. Ltd., on Abadan, an arid island at the head of the Persian gulf. The average native in this class lives under primitive conditions, has no idea of simple hygiene, and is little interested in such. Conditions are therefore suited to the spread of disease. By employing large numbers of street cleaners and sanitary workers, and providing the usual social amenities of a modern town, the Oil Co. does much to control and prevent disease. Balantidiasis has been reported in 3 autopsies carried out in Azerbaijan, and in 5.1% of 2,000 persons examined there. These are the only reports of the disease in Persia, and no study of the disease.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Medicine, Pathology, Parasitology
• Date of Award: 1950
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1950-79826
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 31 Mar 2020 09:09
• Last Modified: 31 Mar 2020 09:09
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/79826