Understanding Blood Parasites: Types, Symptoms & Diseases

* Plasmodium: This genus of protists causes malaria, a disease that can be fatal if not treated. There are several species of Plasmodium, including P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae.

* Trypanosoma: This genus of protists causes African sleeping sickness and Chagas disease. There are two species of Trypanosoma that cause African sleeping sickness, T. b. gambiense and T. b. rhodesiense. There is one species of Trypanosoma that causes Chagas disease, T. cruzi.

* Leishmania: This genus of protists causes leishmaniasis, a disease that can affect the skin, mucous membranes, or internal organs. There are several species of Leishmania, including L. donovani, L. infantum, and L. major.

* Babesia: This genus of protists causes babesiosis, a disease that can cause fever, chills, muscle aches, and fatigue. There are several species of Babesia, including B. divergens, B. bovis, and B. microti.

* Anaplasma: This genus of bacteria causes anaplasmosis, a disease that can cause fever, chills, muscle aches, and fatigue. There are several species of Anaplasma, including A. phagocytophilum and A. platys.

* Ehrlichia: This genus of bacteria causes ehrlichiosis, a disease that can cause fever, chills, muscle aches, and fatigue. There are several species of Ehrlichia, including E. chaffeensis and E. ewingii.