Life cycle of Balantidium coli

 
     
  Cysts are the parasite stage responsible for transmission of balantidiasis  .  The host most often acquires the cyst through ingestion of contaminated food or water  .  Following ingestion, excystation occurs in the small intestine, and the trophozoites colonize the large intestine  .  The trophozoites reside in the lumen of the large intestine of humans and animals, where they replicate by binary fission, during which conjugation may occur  .  Trophozoites undergo encystation to produce infective cysts  .  Some trophozoites invade the wall of the colon and multiply.  Some return to lumen and disintegrate.  Mature cysts are passed with feces  .