Human balantidiasis. A case report.

A 58-year-old woman, who presented to hospital with melaena and faecal peritonitis due to a perforated terminal ileum, was found to be infected with Balantidium coli. This protozoan parasite is commonly found in pigs, but can infect man, and may mimic amoebic infection. The diagnosis may be missed unless fresh stools are examined immediately. The patient died from septicaemia.