Balantidium coli

Paul G. Auwaerter, M.D.

MICROBIOLOGY

Balantidium coli: ciliated intestinal protozoa distributed worldwide, a rare cause of tissue-invasive disease.
- The only ciliated organism is known to cause disease in humans.
- Due to taxonomy work, also known as Neobalantidium coli or Balantioides coli.
- Cysts can remain viable in the environment for up to 2 weeks.

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