Molecular surveillance of bat flies (Diptera: Nycteribiidae and Streblidae) and other ectoparasites in Ratchaburi, Thailand: Unraveling host associations and coronavirus transmission dynamics in the context of zoonotic spillover risk
Background: Bats act as hosts for various ectoparasites, including bat flies, bugs, fleas, ticks, and mites, which play crucial roles in the transmission of bat-borne pathogens. As obligate blood-feeding parasites, these ectoparasites can serve as direct vectors or indirectly influence pathogen dyna...
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Elsevier
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Infection and Public Health |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876034125001418 |
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| author | Atchara Phumee Khwankamon Rattanatumhi Opass Putcharoen Suwalak Chitcharoen Nataya Sutthanont Charuai Suwanbamrung Thanapat Pataradool Rungfar Boonserm Sakone Sunantaraporn Chatuthanai Savigamin Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit Padet Siriyasatien |
| author_facet | Atchara Phumee Khwankamon Rattanatumhi Opass Putcharoen Suwalak Chitcharoen Nataya Sutthanont Charuai Suwanbamrung Thanapat Pataradool Rungfar Boonserm Sakone Sunantaraporn Chatuthanai Savigamin Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit Padet Siriyasatien |
| author_sort | Atchara Phumee |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Bats act as hosts for various ectoparasites, including bat flies, bugs, fleas, ticks, and mites, which play crucial roles in the transmission of bat-borne pathogens. As obligate blood-feeding parasites, these ectoparasites can serve as direct vectors or indirectly influence pathogen dynamics in bat populations. In Thailand, molecular studies on bat ectoparasites are limited, with scarce data on their diversity, distribution, and role in zoonotic pathogen transmission. This study aims to provide the first molecular characterization of bat flies and other ectoparasites in Ratchaburi, Thailand, focusing on their blood meals and potential involvement in coronavirus transmission. Methods: Ectoparasites were identified using the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene, while host blood meals were confirmed using the cytochrome b (CytB) gene. A total of 37 bat flies and additional ectoparasites (ticks and flea) were analyzed. Coronavirus screening was conducted through targeted amplification of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of positive samples. Results: Three bat fly genera were identified: Nycteribia sp. (20), Phthiridium sp. (15), and Raymondia sp. (2). Blood meal analysis indicated host associations with Rhinolophus coelophyllus for Nycteribia sp., R. pusillus and Chaerephon plicatus for Phthiridium sp., and R. pusillus for Raymondia sp. Additionally, two Ixodes sp. ticks and one Hystrichopsylla sp. flea were found, all associated with C. plicatus. Coronavirus screening identified positive samples, with sequencing revealing alphacoronaviruses and betacoronaviruses. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of molecular tools in characterizing ectoparasites, their blood meal sources, and associated pathogens. It underscores the potential of ectoparasites as non-invasive tools for coronavirus detection in bats, addressing knowledge gaps and contributing to public health strategies for mitigating zoonotic spillover risks. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0b128a0c11c44e50b9e604e0cd3bbf7a |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1876-0341 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Infection and Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-0b128a0c11c44e50b9e604e0cd3bbf7a2025-08-20T02:57:46ZengElsevierJournal of Infection and Public Health1876-03412025-07-0118710279210.1016/j.jiph.2025.102792Molecular surveillance of bat flies (Diptera: Nycteribiidae and Streblidae) and other ectoparasites in Ratchaburi, Thailand: Unraveling host associations and coronavirus transmission dynamics in the context of zoonotic spillover riskAtchara Phumee0Khwankamon Rattanatumhi1Opass Putcharoen2Suwalak Chitcharoen3Nataya Sutthanont4Charuai Suwanbamrung5Thanapat Pataradool6Rungfar Boonserm7Sakone Sunantaraporn8Chatuthanai Savigamin9Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit10Padet Siriyasatien11Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand; Excellent Center for Public Health Research: EC for PHR, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, ThailandThai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases Clinical Centre, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, ThailandThai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases Clinical Centre, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, ThailandDepartment of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, ThailandDepartment of Medical Entomology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, ThailandExcellent Center for Public Health Research: EC for PHR, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand; Public Health Research Program, School of Public Health, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, ThailandCenter of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector Borne Diseases, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, ThailandCenter of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector Borne Diseases, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, ThailandCenter of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector Borne Diseases, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, ThailandJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, United StatesBernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany; Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, GermanyCenter of Excellence in Vector Biology and Vector Borne Diseases, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Corresponding author.Background: Bats act as hosts for various ectoparasites, including bat flies, bugs, fleas, ticks, and mites, which play crucial roles in the transmission of bat-borne pathogens. As obligate blood-feeding parasites, these ectoparasites can serve as direct vectors or indirectly influence pathogen dynamics in bat populations. In Thailand, molecular studies on bat ectoparasites are limited, with scarce data on their diversity, distribution, and role in zoonotic pathogen transmission. This study aims to provide the first molecular characterization of bat flies and other ectoparasites in Ratchaburi, Thailand, focusing on their blood meals and potential involvement in coronavirus transmission. Methods: Ectoparasites were identified using the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene, while host blood meals were confirmed using the cytochrome b (CytB) gene. A total of 37 bat flies and additional ectoparasites (ticks and flea) were analyzed. Coronavirus screening was conducted through targeted amplification of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of positive samples. Results: Three bat fly genera were identified: Nycteribia sp. (20), Phthiridium sp. (15), and Raymondia sp. (2). Blood meal analysis indicated host associations with Rhinolophus coelophyllus for Nycteribia sp., R. pusillus and Chaerephon plicatus for Phthiridium sp., and R. pusillus for Raymondia sp. Additionally, two Ixodes sp. ticks and one Hystrichopsylla sp. flea were found, all associated with C. plicatus. Coronavirus screening identified positive samples, with sequencing revealing alphacoronaviruses and betacoronaviruses. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of molecular tools in characterizing ectoparasites, their blood meal sources, and associated pathogens. It underscores the potential of ectoparasites as non-invasive tools for coronavirus detection in bats, addressing knowledge gaps and contributing to public health strategies for mitigating zoonotic spillover risks.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876034125001418EctoparasitesBat flyBlood mealCoronavirusesThailand |
| spellingShingle | Atchara Phumee Khwankamon Rattanatumhi Opass Putcharoen Suwalak Chitcharoen Nataya Sutthanont Charuai Suwanbamrung Thanapat Pataradool Rungfar Boonserm Sakone Sunantaraporn Chatuthanai Savigamin Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit Padet Siriyasatien Molecular surveillance of bat flies (Diptera: Nycteribiidae and Streblidae) and other ectoparasites in Ratchaburi, Thailand: Unraveling host associations and coronavirus transmission dynamics in the context of zoonotic spillover risk Journal of Infection and Public Health Ectoparasites Bat fly Blood meal Coronaviruses Thailand |
| title | Molecular surveillance of bat flies (Diptera: Nycteribiidae and Streblidae) and other ectoparasites in Ratchaburi, Thailand: Unraveling host associations and coronavirus transmission dynamics in the context of zoonotic spillover risk |
| title_full | Molecular surveillance of bat flies (Diptera: Nycteribiidae and Streblidae) and other ectoparasites in Ratchaburi, Thailand: Unraveling host associations and coronavirus transmission dynamics in the context of zoonotic spillover risk |
| title_fullStr | Molecular surveillance of bat flies (Diptera: Nycteribiidae and Streblidae) and other ectoparasites in Ratchaburi, Thailand: Unraveling host associations and coronavirus transmission dynamics in the context of zoonotic spillover risk |
| title_full_unstemmed | Molecular surveillance of bat flies (Diptera: Nycteribiidae and Streblidae) and other ectoparasites in Ratchaburi, Thailand: Unraveling host associations and coronavirus transmission dynamics in the context of zoonotic spillover risk |
| title_short | Molecular surveillance of bat flies (Diptera: Nycteribiidae and Streblidae) and other ectoparasites in Ratchaburi, Thailand: Unraveling host associations and coronavirus transmission dynamics in the context of zoonotic spillover risk |
| title_sort | molecular surveillance of bat flies diptera nycteribiidae and streblidae and other ectoparasites in ratchaburi thailand unraveling host associations and coronavirus transmission dynamics in the context of zoonotic spillover risk |
| topic | Ectoparasites Bat fly Blood meal Coronaviruses Thailand |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876034125001418 |
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