piroplasm
/ˈpʌɪrə(ʊ)plaz(ə)m/Microbiology and Veterinary Med.
noun
A protozoan of the sporozoan class Piroplasmea, which comprises species that are parasitic in red blood cells (some are important pathogens of domestic animals) and are transmitted by ticks.
Origin
Early 20th century. From scientific Latin Piroplasma piroplasma; compare -plasm.