Schematic of Entamoeba histolytica in the colonic environment, in LYSGM complex xenic medium, and in axenic medium and the associated encystation ability of the parasites under each condition. Parasites in the colonic environment are exposed to colonic epithelial cells, bacteria, mucin, and red blood cells and are fully encystation competent. Parasites in complex medium are exposed to bacteria, mucin and rice starch and have some ability to encyst. Parasites in axenic culture, without any associated components as listed above, have not been shown to be encystation competent. Epithelial cell=
; Bacteria=
; Mucin=
; Rice starch=
; Red blood cells=
; E. histolytica trophozoites=
; Immature E. histolytica cysts=
; Mature E. histolytica cysts=
.