Blood parasites are parasitic microorganisms that inhabit the bloodstream or blood-forming tissues of a host, where they reside within erythrocytes, leukocytes or plasma and are often transmitted by arthropod vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks and flies. They include the malaria parasites of the genus Plasmodium, as …
Blood parasites are parasitic microorganisms that inhabit the bloodstream or blood-forming tissues of a host, where they reside within erythrocytes, leukocytes or plasma and are often transmitted by arthropod vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks and flies. They include the malaria parasites of the genus Plasmodium, as well as other haemoprotozoa and microfilarial and blood-borne organisms of medical and veterinary importance. Within the host, blood parasites complete characteristic developmental cycles that may destroy red cells, provoke immune and inflammatory responses, and cause anaemia, fever, organ dysfunction and, in severe infection, life-threatening disease. Diagnosis relies on microscopic examination of stained blood films, antigen and antibody detection, and molecular methods, while control combines vector management, chemoprophylaxis and treatment. Because infection links parasite biology, host immunity and vector ecology, research in parasitology examines transmission, immunopathology and the regulation of host responses; for example, work on the regulation of reactive oxygen intermediates during Plasmodium infection illustrates the immunological dimension of blood-stage disease. More broadly, parasitological investigation in this field encompasses the detection, epidemiology and host interactions of protozoan and helminth parasites. The peer-reviewed literature relevant to blood parasites addresses parasite life cycles, vector-borne transmission, diagnosis and the host immune response to bloodstream infection.
12 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.
The 12 articles above have been cited 33 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.
A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Blood Parasites, linking to each citing work.