author = {Bareja, Rajesh. and Pottathil, Shinu. and Grover, Prem. and Singh, Hazara.}, title = {{The simplest technique for cultivation and maintenance of Balantidium coli}}, journal ={International Journal of Health & Allied Sciences}, volume ={4}, number ={4}, pages = {218-221}, doi = {10.4103/2278-344X.167650}, year = {2015}, abstract ={Introduction: Balantidium coli (B. coli) is considered as the largest protozoon and the only parasitic ciliate known to infect humans. Objective: This study describes the cultivation and maintenance of B. coli isolated from a stool specimen of patient during the routine examination. Materials and Methods: B. coli was identified microscopically and then successfully cultivated and maintained in home-produced culture media. Four media, Water (W), water with fecal matter (WF), WF and blood (WFB), and water with serum (WS) were used to cultivate and maintain the parasite. Inoculated culture media were observed daily and then weekly. Results: WF and WFB exhibited good growth of the parasite as well as maintenance up to 5 months. W and WS showed good maintenance of the parasite up to 7 months and no growth, respectively. Conclusion: The present study depicts the simple and cost-effective techniques that help us in cultivation and maintenance of B. coli for a long time without doing subcultures again and again.}, URL ={https://www.ijhas.in/article.asp?issn=2278-344X;year=2015;volume=4;issue=4;spage=218;epage=221;aulast=Bareja;t=6}, eprint ={https://www.ijhas.in/article.asp?issn=2278-344X;year=2015;volume=4;issue=4;spage=218;epage=221;aulast=Bareja;t=6} }