Apicomplexa

Apicomplexa
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Chromalveolata
Superphylum:	Alveolata
Phylum:	Apicomplexa
Classes & Subclasses
Aconoidasida Haemosporasina Piroplasmasina Conoidasida Coccidiasina Gregarinasina

The Apicomplexa are a large group of protists which are pathogenic parasitic protozoa.

They have a unique apical complex for penetrating a host's cell, and an organelle called an apicoplast.

They are unicellular, spore-forming, and exclusively parasites of animals. Motile structures such as flagella or pseudopods are absent except in certain gamete stages.

Apicomplexans have complex life cycles, and there is much variation among different apicomplexan groups. Both asexual and sexual reproduction occur.

This is a diverse group including organisms such as coccidia, gregarines, piroplasms, haemogregarines, and malarias. Diseases caused by apicomplexan organisms include:

• Babesiosis (Babesia)
• Malaria (Plasmodium)
• Coccidian diseases including:
  • Cryptosporidiosis (Cryptosporidium parvum)
  • Cyclosporiasis (Cyclospora cayetanensis)
  • Isosporiasis (Isospora belli)
  • Toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii)