Md. Abdullah-Al-Hasan¹, Md. Ashraf Ali², Md. Abdullah-Al-Hasan³, ATM Faiz Khan Rakib⁴, Mohammad Ashraful Alam⁵, MM Hussain Mondal¹

¹Deaprtment of Parasitology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh
²Deaprtment of Pathology and Parasitology, Jhenidah Government Veterinary College, Jhenidah, Bangladesh
³Departmen of Microbiology and Hygiene, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, Bangladesh
⁴Departmen of Pharmacology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh
⁵Departmen of Microbiology and Hygiene, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

An epidemiological survey of Balantidium coli infection (balantidiasis) in man was studied during July to November, 2010. A total of 150 samples were examined through Stoll’s ova counting technique of which 6.67 % were found to be infected with B. coli. In this study, prevalence of balantidiasis in relation to age, sex, socio-economic status and month of the year was also studied. Prevalence of B. coli was significantly higher in adult aged >6 years (10.77%) than in young aged < 6 years (3.53%). Higher prevalence was observed in male than that of female. Relatively higher prevalence of B. coli was observed in July and September months. Prevalence of B. coli was significantly (p<0.05) higher in lower class than middle class people. The cysts of B. coli per gram of stool were 100-600 with a mean value of 232.0±12.18 cysts per gram stool. The occurrence of B. coli infection in man indicating a significant health threat of this zoonotic parasite in Bangladesh. Further extensive research is needed to understand the transmission dynamics of this parasite for taking necessary steps in controlling balatidiasis in Bangladesh.

Key words: Prevalence, Balantidium coli, man, Bangladesh.

Corresponding author. Tel.: +8801717998874
E-mail address: hasanvet30@gmail.com (AA Hasan)

How to cite this article: MAA Hasan, MA Ali, MAA Hasan, AFK Rakib, MA Alam and MMH Mondal (2015). Prevalence of Balantidium coli infection in man in Mymensingh, Bangladesh. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 2(1): 33-36.