Category:Piroplasmida

The piroplasms are a group of blood-borne protozoa which are transmitted by ticks. The species of most veterinary importance are Babesia, Cytauxzoon and Theileria.

Piroplasms are apicomplexan protozoa which inhabit 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.