The '''piroplasms''' are a group of blood-borne protozoa which are transmitted by [[Ticks|ticks]]. The species of most veterinary importance are ''Babesia'', ''Cytauxzoon'' and ''Theileria''.
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Piroplasms are apicomplexan protozoa which inhabit [[Erythrocytes - WikiBlood|erythrocytes]], and sometimes other cells of vertebrates, but do not form pigment from haemoglobin. All piroplasms are small and round or pear-shaped (erythrocyte forms) and are parasitic to fish, amphibians, birds and mammals.