Some patients infected with Balantidium coli may have a fulminant course or extraintestinal disease. These patients often have one or more risk factors affecting host defenses.
Risk factors for a more fulminant course or extraintestinal disease in balantidiosis:
(1) immunosuppression, including corticosteroid therapy or recent chemotherapy
(2) malignant lymphoma or leukemia
(3) severe malnutrition
(4) alcoholic liver disease
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
