Pulmonary Balantidium coli infection in a leukemic patient.
A 59-year-old woman suffering from chronic lymphocytic leukemia developed pulmonary lesions; bronchoalveolar lavage was performed for possible systemic fungal infection. However, direct microscopic analysis revealed ciliated protozoa identified as Balantidium coli. B. coli is the only known pathogenic ciliate, and is usually associated with intestinal infection in areas associated with pig rearing. On very rare occasions the organisms may invade extra-intestinal organs, in this case the lungs of an immunocompromised patient. This case is unusual as balantidiasis is rare in Europe, the patient had no obvious contact with pigs, and there was no history of diarrhea prior to pulmonary colonization. Metronidazole was rapidly administered, and the condition improved after 24-48 hr.
Anargyrou
K
K
Hematology Section, 1st Department of Internal Medicine, Athens University School of Medicine, Laikon General Hospital, Goudi, Athens, Greece.
Petrikkos
G L
GL
Suller
M T E
MT
Skiada
A
A
Siakantaris
M P
MP
Osuntoyinbo
R T
RT
Pangalis
G
G
Vaiopoulos
G
G
D000818:Animals; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001448:Balantidium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D008171:Lung Diseases; D008174:Lung Diseases, Parasitic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents