Babesia

/bəˈbiːziə/ noun

Definition

A genus of parasitic microorganisms that infect red blood cells and cause disease in animals and humans.

Etymology

Named after Victor Babes, a Romanian bacteriologist who discovered these parasites in the 19th century. Scientific naming convention uses -ia to create genus names.

Kelly Says

Babesia is responsible for babesiosis, a tick-borne disease that mimics malaria so closely that doctors sometimes miss it—it's a reminder that tiny parasites discovered over 100 years ago still cause real problems today.

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