Cyst formation and faecal-oral transmission of Dientamoeba fragilis - the missing link in the life cycle of an emerging pathogen

- Laboratory rodents can be infected orally with Dientamoeba fragilis.
- Rodents shed cysts in stool.
- The cyst stage of D. fragilis is described for the first time by electron microscopy.
- Faecal-oral transmission of D. fragilis is demonstrated using laboratory rodents.