Piroplasmea

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Piroplasmea (phylum Protozoa, subphylum Sporozoa) A class of protozoa which are parasitic in a range of vertebrates, where they infect red and white blood cells, and cells of the liver. A second (invertebrate) host is required for completion of the life cycle. There is one order, with two families. The class includes some important pathogens of domestic animals.