Phylum : Apicomplexa

Class : Sporozoa

Sub-class: Piroplasmida

Order: Piroplasmorida

Family: Babesiidae

Genus: Babesia

Piroplasmorida

• They are often referred to as ‘Piroplasm’. They are pyriform, amoeboid, rod-like, round or pleomorphic.
• Mainly found in erythrocytes or leucocytes of vertebrates.
• No oocyst is formed and reproduction in vertebrate host is asexual with sexual reproduction occurring in invertebrate host.
• Heteroxenous with known vectors i.e. ixodid or argasid ticks.
• Reproduction by binary fission or schizogony.
• Two families are of importance : Babesiidae and Theileriidae.

Babesiidae

• Developmental stage occurs in erythrocyte of vertebrate host.
• Large, round to pyriform or amoeboid organisms.
• Family has only one genus: These are parasite of red blood cells of various mammalian host.