Anaplasma

/ænəˈplæzmə/ noun

Definition

A genus of parasitic bacteria that infect red blood cells and cause disease in animals and sometimes humans; related to ehrlichia bacteria.

Etymology

From Greek ana- (again) + plasma (form), named for the organism's appearance, combined with Greek -plasma (substance).

Kelly Says

Anaplasma bacteria are spread by ticks and cause anaplasmosis—they're so sneaky that they hide inside red blood cells where the immune system has trouble finding them.

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