Balantidium Coli liver abscess: first case report from India

Area of Science:

• Tropical medicine
• Infectious diseases
• Parasitology

Background:

• Protozoal infections are prevalent in tropical regions, with amoebic colitis being a common cause of morbidity.
• Balantidium coli, a rare protozoal parasite, typically causes colitis mimicking Entamoeba histolytica infection.
• Extraintestinal manifestations, such as liver abscess, are not commonly associated with Balantidium coli infections in humans.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a unique case of liver abscess caused by Balantidium coli.
• To highlight the potential for rare complications of Balantidium coli infections.
• To contribute to the understanding of Balantidium coli pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

• Case report detailing clinical presentation, diagnostic findings, and treatment of a patient with liver abscess.
• Microscopic examination and identification of Balantidium coli in clinical samples.
• Review of relevant literature on Balantidium coli infections and liver abscesses.

Main Results:

• A case of liver abscess attributed to Balantidium coli infection is presented.
• This represents a rare extraintestinal manifestation of Balantidium coli.
• The case is the first reported instance of Balantidium coli-induced liver abscess in Indian literature.

Conclusions:

• Balantidium coli can cause rare but severe extraintestinal complications, including liver abscess.
• Physicians should consider Balantidium coli in the differential diagnosis of liver abscesses, especially in endemic areas.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms behind extraintestinal spread of Balantidium coli.