Balantidiasis is a tropical, bacterial infection, causing diarrhea, that last 1-2 weeks. It is acquired from drinking water contaminated by animal or humans.

Symptoms are short-lived and treatment often not neededbut it will also respond to antibiotics (doxycycline or flagyl).

For more information please check these websites:

Center for Disease ControlCDC http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/balantidium/

National Organization for Rare Disorders http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdbdetail_abstract.html?disname=Balantidiasis

eMedicine http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic203.htm