It is good that you have a background in microbiology. I have discovered a blood-borne fiber, just one type, which is not normal at all. It is about the same length in blood, but I cultured scalp debris, and have found many growing there. I first though it was a bacteria, but now I am thinking artificially created. It looks like a simple molecule-chain. It is quite large compared to red blood cells. There is no indication of life, but antibodies will attack non-viable ones. So, I think it has a short growth-span in blood. Still, it is quite disturbing, and there are other implications to this as well. Many of those who have this, seem to have a problem with "real parasites". Shroom