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Glite Dictionary
Piroplasma

Piroplasma

9.9
A tiny parasite that lives in the blood of animals like dogs or cows
  • noun
  • /ˌpɪrəˈplæzmə/
  • Specialized
: Piroplasma
  • The disease is caused by a blood parasite from the genus Piroplasma.

Examples

  • The Piroplasma infection can be deadly to livestock.

  • Researchers discovered the presence of Piroplasma in several wild animals.

  • Microscopic examination confirmed an infection by Piroplasma in the canine patient.

  • Veterinarians are studying Piroplasmas to better understand their effects.

  • Microscopic examination confirmed an infection by Piroplasma in the canine patient.

  • Researchers discovered the presence of Piroplasma in several wild animals.

  • The disease is caused by a blood parasite from the genus Piroplasma.

Surface Forms

Piroplasma singular
Piroplasmas plural

Morphology

Piroplasma = plasma (opaque) = piro + plasma

The combining form 'plasma' signals a relation to blood or bodily substance, which gives a partial clue, but the full taxonomic sense is specialized and not predictable by general learners.

Etymology

Piroplasma is formed from parts that mean 'fire' and 'something shaped' — piro- (like 'pyro-', 'fire') and -plasma ('formed thing', also seen in 'blood plasma'). A helpful image is tiny, bright, shaped bodies in the blood, which fits these small parasite organisms.