BACTERIAL-FLORA IN ACUTE AND SYMPTOM-FREE BALANTIDIOSIS

Composition of the bacterial flora accompanying Balantidium coli in th e rectum content of pigs affected by acute (Group 1) and symptom-free (Group 2) balantidiosis was studied. The course of balantidiosis was f ound to be dependent on composition of the bacterial flora. B. coli vi rulence towards the host's tissues may be a secondary effect of the ch anges in biological, chemical, and physical conditions of the parasite 's biotope.