Molecular Detection of Bartonella quintana among Long-Tailed Macaques (Macaca fascicularis) in Thailand

Bartonella quintana is a zoonotic pathogen with a worldwide distribution. Humans and non-human primates are considered to be natural reservoir hosts for B. quintana. However, information on the molecular epidemiology of this organism is very limited in regard to long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) in Thailand. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the occurrence and genetic diversity of Bartonella spp. among long-tailed macaques in Thailand. In total, 856 blood samples were collected from long-tailed macaques in Thailand. All specimens were screened for Bartonella spp. using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting the 16S rRNA, gltA and ftsZ genes. All positive samples were further analyzed based on nucleotide sequencing, phylogenetic analysis and multiple sequence alignment analysis. Only one macaque showed a positive result in the PCR assays based on the 16S rRNA, gltA and ftsZ genes. Nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the obtained sequences were closely related to B. quintana previously detected in non-human primates. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected in the gltA and ftsZ gene sequences. This study revealed that long-tailed macaques in Thailand carried B. quintana. Despite the low infection rate detected, long-tailed macaques may be a reservoir of B. quintana

Serological detection of Rickettsia spp. and evaluation of blood parameters in pet dogs and cats from Bangkok and neighboring provinces.

Rickettsiosis is caused by Orientia spp. and Rickettsia spp., arthropod-borne zoonotic intracellular bacteria. The close relationships between pet dogs, cats and owners increase the risk of rickettsial transmission, with limited studies on the seroprevalence in pets. This study investigated the prevalence of rickettsia exposure among dogs and cats in Bangkok and neighboring provinces. The samples from 367 dogs and 187 cats used in this study were leftover serum samples from routine laboratory testing stored at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. In-house Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests included IgG against the scrub typhus group (STG), typhus group (TG), and spotted fever group (SFG). The seroprevalence in pet dogs was 30.25% (111/367), including 21.53% for STG, 4.36% for TG, and 1.09% for SFG. Co-seroprevalence consisted of 2.72% for STG and TG, 0.27% for STG and SFG, and 0.27% for pangroup infection. The prevalence in cats was 62.56% (117/187), including 28.34% for STG, 4.28% for TG, and 6.42% for STG. Co-seroprevalence in cats consisted of STG and TG (4.28%), STG and SFG (5.35%), TG and SFG (3.21%), and three-group infection (10.69%). No significant difference in seroprevalence for the three serogroups was observed in any of the 64 districts sampled. The mean hematocrit level significantly decreased in seropositive dogs (P<0.05). Seropositive dogs and cats were detected in significantly greater numbers of anemia cases than nonanemia cases (P<0.05) (odds ratio: 7.93, 0.44, p = 0.00, p = 0.01). A significantly higher number of seropositive cats had decreased hemoglobin levels (P<0.05) (odds ratio: 3.63, p = 0.00). The seropositive samples significantly differed among older cats (P<0.05). These high exposures in pet dogs and cats could constitute important relationship dynamics between companion animals and rickettsial vectors. Significantly decreased hematocrit and hemoglobin levels indicated anemia in the exposed dogs and cats. The study findings will raise awareness of this neglected disease among pet owners and veterinary hospital personnel and aid in future public health preventative planning

Detection and genetic characterization of "Candidatus Mycoplasma haemomacaque" infection among long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) in Thailand using broad-range nested polymerase chain reaction assay

Background and Aim: Hemoplasmas are defined as small, epicellular parasitic bacteria that can infect the red blood cells of several mammalian species. Diseases caused by these bacteria range from asymptomatic infections to acute hemolytic anemia. However, data on hemoplasmas in non-human primates in Thailand remain to be limited. Therefore, this study aims to determine the occurrence and genetic diversity of hemoplasmas among long-tailed macaques in Thailand. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 339 long-tailed macaques in three provinces of Thailand. DNA was then extracted from the blood samples and tested for hemoplasma using broad-range nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on the 16S rRNA gene. PCR-positive samples were sequenced, and phylogenetic analysis for species identification was conducted. Results: In total, 38 (11.2%) out of the 339 samples were found to be positive for hemoplasmas, based on the broad-range nested PCR assay of the 16S rRNA gene. The 16S rRNA sequences of Mycoplasma spp. were highly similar (98-99% identity) to "Candidatus Mycoplasma haemomacaque." Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis using maximum likelihood demonstrated that the sequences were located in the same cluster of "Ca. M. haemomacaque." Conclusion: The detection of hemoplasmas among long-tailed macaques in Thailand is reported. Genetic characterization confirmed that these hemoplasmas are closely related to "Ca. M. haemomacaque." These results indicate that long-tailed macaques in several locations in Thailand may be infected and serve as reservoirs for this parasite

Antibacterial Activity of Solanum torvum Leaf Extract and Its Synergistic Effect with Oxacillin against Methicillin-Resistant Staphyloccoci Isolated from Dogs

Methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) have been considered a veterinary and public health threat that needs to be addressed, as they are known to cause serious infections, with limited therapeutic options. Thus, in this study, we aimed to examine the potential antibacterial activity of the leaf extract of Solanum torvum against MRS isolated from clinically healthy dogs. In total, seven mecA-positive Staphylococcus isolates tested in this study were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and all of them were classified as multidrug-resistant using disk diffusion tests. According to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, the main phytochemical components found in the leaf extract were hexadecanoic acid and its ethyl ester and 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, ethyl ester, (Z,Z,Z). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) breakpoints for the leaf extract against all tested isolates ranged from 2 to 16 mg/mL, while the MIC breakpoints for oxacillin were from 2 to 512 mg/L. Although varying effects were found, the positive effects of the leaf extract were most evident in combination with oxacillin. These results suggested that S. torvum leaf extract may complement classical antibiotics and may potentially drive the development of an effective therapeutic option for MRS

Candidatus Bartonella antechini: A novel Bartonella species detected in fleas and ticks from the yellow-footed antechinus (Antechinus flavipes), an Australian marsupial

The vomeronasal system consists of a peripheral organ and the connected central neuronal networks. The central connections are sexually dimorphic in rodents, and in some species, parameters of the vomeronasal organ (VNO) vary with sex, hormonal exposure, body size and seasonality. The VNO of the dasyurid marsupial mouse, Antechinus subtropicus is presumed to be functional. The unusual life history (male semelparity) is marked by distinct seasonality with differences in hormonal environments both between males and females, and in males at different time points. Body size parameters (e.g., length, weight) display sexual dimorphism and, in males, a pronounced weight gain before breeding is followed by a rapid decline during the single, short reproductive season. VNO morphometry was investigated in male and female A. subtropicus to identify possible life cycle associated activity. The overall length of the VNO is positively correlated with the size of the animal. The amount of sensory epithelium exhibits a negative correlation, decreasing with increasing size of the animal. The effects of sex and breeding condition are not obvious, although they do suggest that sensory vomeronasal epithelium mass declines in the breeding period. The VNO may be more important in A. subtropicus before breeding when it may participate in synchronising reproduction and in the development of the male stress response. J. Morphol. 277:1517-1530, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc