Balantidium nawaraoi n. sp., in the Warao community of Nabasanuka, Venezuela

Abstract

Introduction. There are more than eighty species of the genus Balantidium, both in vertebrates and invertebrates, of which only Balantidium coli infects humans. Methodology. The stool sample (liquid) from a patient of the Warao ethnic group, inhabitant of the jungle population of Nabasanuka, northeast of Venezuela, in the lower delta of the Orinoco River, LN 09°08’11.9” y LO 061°03’31.2”. Was examined it through the direct saline and lugol technique. Results. The trophozoite of a new species of ciliate was observed, identifying it as Balantidium nawaraoi  n. sp., this protozoan was elongated and ellipsoidal (92 µm x 40 µm), with a wide “V” shaped vestibulum (14 µm x 20 µm), with oval macronucleus and rounded micronucleus, the movements of the trophozoite of this ciliated protozoa were fast, progressive and random, with a slight corkscrew rotation. Discussion. This species differs from Balantidium coli mainly by the presence in its posterior third of a concave structure, narrower and more transparent than the rest

of the body (28 µm x 29 µm). Concussion. This new taxon compromises the realization of new studies to search for the cystic stage, the reservoir, epidemiology and its possible role as a pathogen or commensal for man.