Balantidiasis is a disease caused by a protozoan referred to as Balantidium coli. It is mainly found in a few regions in the world, and we as a company are keen on developing both vaccines and therapies for balantidiasis and assisting in your research.
Overview of Balantidiasis
The Balantidium coli disease is the largest protozoan impairment in human beings and is prevalent in the tropic and the subtropic zones of the world. Even though Balantidiasis has a small global presence, free standing cases are reported with indicators going up to 30 percent in areas including New Guinea and Philippines.
Fig.1 Global distribution of potentially infected individuals with Balantidium coli. (Ponce-Gordo, F., and J. J. Garcia-Rodriguez., 2021)
Pathogenesis of Balantidiasis
The development of balantidiasis starts as infection caused by the protozoan known as balantidium coli. This amalgam is caused by protozoic cysts which bear traces of food. Once ingested, the nutrient rich environment of a colon triggers cysts excyst into troples which leads to colon inflammation and ulcerations. With time, the infection post- colonization worsens leading to colitis, and in more severe cases, perforation and even peritonitis. Studies indicate the colonizing trypanosomes have a key role in proteolytic composition and toxin production, which ultimately results in the progression from tissue to cell death.
Fig.2 The morphology of Balantidium coli. (da Silva, R. K. M., et al., 2021)
Recent Advances in ELISA Kits for Balantidiasis
ELISA kits are used for the detection of specific antibodies given off by the host's immune system targeting Balantidium coli or the antigens released from the parasite through defecation.
Antibody Detection
ELISA which targets IgA, Ion I, or IgG antibody present in the serum of the infected individuals are said to be the new modern kits and are used to detect chronic infections and aid with epidemiological studies.
Antigen Detection
Currently, ELISA kits which target specific antigens present in waste products of the body are in the clinical trial phase and these newer kits ensure early diagnosis during the acute stages of the infection.
Vaccine Development for Balantidiasis
Subunit vaccines which contain targeted antigens derived from the parasite to stimulate immunoresponse are being developed for some protozoe infections. If we germinate antigens for Balantidium coli, then this possibility would aid in mitigating the disease in high-risk groups.
The use of live-attenuated strains of the parasite which can provoke an immune response without establishing a disease is another option that seems feasible. This strategy has been successful in other protozoan infections but would have to undergo rigorous safety evaluation with balantidiasis.
Our Services
In our company, we are dedicated to assisting our clients in the invention of new balantidiasis vaccines and therapeutic approaches as well as enhancing its effectiveness. Our skilled scientists, immunologists, and pharmacologists utilize the latest technologies and possess substantial knowledge of the field in order to facilitate in many of your project's advancement.
Animal Models of Balantidiasis
Our company actively builds an assortment of the Balantidiasis animal models that enable us to acquire specific characteristics of the disease as well as findings regarding its treatment. Such models are necessary for advancing the understanding of the pathophysiology of balantidiasis and for testing putative therapies with more rigor.
| Pathogen Infection Models |
| These models involve infecting specific animal species with Balantidium coli to study disease mechanisms, host immune responses, and evaluate potential therapeutics. |
| Optional Models |
- Balantidium coli-Infected Pig Model
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- Balantidium coli-Infected Rat Model
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| Humanized Models |
| Humanized models are engineered to express human tissues or immune components, providing a more accurate representation of human disease conditions and immune responses in balantidiasis. |
| Optional Models |
- Human Intestinal Xenograft Mouse Model with Balantidium coli Infection
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- Humanized Immune System Mouse Model Infected with Balantidium coli Antigens
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| Optional Species |
Mice, Rats, Non-human primates, Others |
Through the balantidiasis therapeutic development process, our group concentrates on identifying and the novel anti-microbials namely small molecules, peptides, and biologics that disrupt virulence factors. In addition, we provide services to assess, formulate and provide for the forwards development of your drug pipeline.
If you are interested in our services, please don't hesitate to contact us.
References
- Ponce-Gordo, F., and J. J. Garcia-Rodriguez. "Balantioides Coli." Res Vet Sci 135 (2021): 424-31.
- da Silva, R. K. M., et al. "Balantidiasis in Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." Acta Trop 223 (2021): 106069.
- Shrestha, S., and P. Khadka. "Neglected Case of Human Balantidiasis: Presumed as Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhoea." Case Rep Infect Dis 2022 (2022): 6013151.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use
only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
