Molecular detection and characterization of haemoparasites in captive tigers (Panthera tigris) from Thailand

Haemoparasites of the genera Ehrlichia, Hepatozoon, and Babesia, which are known tick-borne pathogens, infect a wide variety of domestic and wild animals. The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive molecular detection and characterization of haemoparasites in captive tigers (Panthera tigri...

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Main Authors: Tanasak Changbunjong, Tatiyanuch Chamsai, Siriporn Tangsudjai, Nareerat Sangkachai, Chalisa Mongkolphan, Luxsana Prasittichai, Tanawat Chaiphongpachara
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Current Research in Parasitology and Vector-Borne Diseases
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667114X25000093
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author Tanasak Changbunjong
Tatiyanuch Chamsai
Siriporn Tangsudjai
Nareerat Sangkachai
Chalisa Mongkolphan
Luxsana Prasittichai
Tanawat Chaiphongpachara
author_facet Tanasak Changbunjong
Tatiyanuch Chamsai
Siriporn Tangsudjai
Nareerat Sangkachai
Chalisa Mongkolphan
Luxsana Prasittichai
Tanawat Chaiphongpachara
author_sort Tanasak Changbunjong
collection DOAJ
description Haemoparasites of the genera Ehrlichia, Hepatozoon, and Babesia, which are known tick-borne pathogens, infect a wide variety of domestic and wild animals. The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive molecular detection and characterization of haemoparasites in captive tigers (Panthera tigris) at a wildlife center in Thailand. From multiplex PCR results, haemoparasites were detected in the blood of 12 out of 17 tigers (70.6%), including 4 males and 8 females. Ten tigers (58.8%) were infected with Ehrlichia canis, one (5.9%) was co-infected with Hepatozoon sp. and E. canis, and another (5.9%) was infected solely with Hepatozoon sp. No infection with Babesia spp. was found. Nucleotide sequence analyses of the VirB9 protein gene sequence of E. canis and the 18S rRNA gene sequences of Hepatozoon spp. revealed high levels of genetic similarity with GenBank reference sequences. The Hepatozoon spp. sequence from the co-infected tiger showed 98.1–99.9% similarity with Hepatozoon canis, while another sequence showed a 97.6–99.7% match with Hepatozoon felis. The detection of these parasites underscores the complex interactions and dynamics of disease transmission that exist within captive environments, highlighting the need for preventive measures. Therefore, appropriate steps should be taken to control ectoparasites and manage domestic animals within wildlife centers to minimize the risk of infection.
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spelling doaj-art-22e08fa8ad234df1bf022f9da45d45d32025-08-20T02:36:57ZengElsevierCurrent Research in Parasitology and Vector-Borne Diseases2667-114X2025-01-01710024910.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100249Molecular detection and characterization of haemoparasites in captive tigers (Panthera tigris) from ThailandTanasak Changbunjong0Tatiyanuch Chamsai1Siriporn Tangsudjai2Nareerat Sangkachai3Chalisa Mongkolphan4Luxsana Prasittichai5Tanawat Chaiphongpachara6Department of Pre-Clinic and Applied Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand; The Monitoring and Surveillance Center for Zoonotic Diseases in Wildlife and Exotic Animals (MoZWE), Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand; Corresponding author. Department of Pre-Clinic and Applied Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand.The Monitoring and Surveillance Center for Zoonotic Diseases in Wildlife and Exotic Animals (MoZWE), Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, ThailandThe Monitoring and Surveillance Center for Zoonotic Diseases in Wildlife and Exotic Animals (MoZWE), Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, ThailandThe Monitoring and Surveillance Center for Zoonotic Diseases in Wildlife and Exotic Animals (MoZWE), Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, ThailandThe Monitoring and Surveillance Center for Zoonotic Diseases in Wildlife and Exotic Animals (MoZWE), Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, ThailandProtected Area Regional Office 3 (Ban Pong), Department of National Parks Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Ratchaburi, 70110, ThailandDepartment of Public Health and Health Promotion, College of Allied Health Sciences, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Samut Songkhram, 75000, Thailand; Corresponding author. Department of Public Health and Health Promotion, College of Allied Health Sciences, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Samut Songkhram, 75000, Thailand.Haemoparasites of the genera Ehrlichia, Hepatozoon, and Babesia, which are known tick-borne pathogens, infect a wide variety of domestic and wild animals. The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive molecular detection and characterization of haemoparasites in captive tigers (Panthera tigris) at a wildlife center in Thailand. From multiplex PCR results, haemoparasites were detected in the blood of 12 out of 17 tigers (70.6%), including 4 males and 8 females. Ten tigers (58.8%) were infected with Ehrlichia canis, one (5.9%) was co-infected with Hepatozoon sp. and E. canis, and another (5.9%) was infected solely with Hepatozoon sp. No infection with Babesia spp. was found. Nucleotide sequence analyses of the VirB9 protein gene sequence of E. canis and the 18S rRNA gene sequences of Hepatozoon spp. revealed high levels of genetic similarity with GenBank reference sequences. The Hepatozoon spp. sequence from the co-infected tiger showed 98.1–99.9% similarity with Hepatozoon canis, while another sequence showed a 97.6–99.7% match with Hepatozoon felis. The detection of these parasites underscores the complex interactions and dynamics of disease transmission that exist within captive environments, highlighting the need for preventive measures. Therefore, appropriate steps should be taken to control ectoparasites and manage domestic animals within wildlife centers to minimize the risk of infection.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667114X25000093Molecular identificationRhipicephalus sanguineusEhrlichia canisHepatozoon canisHepatozoon felisTick
spellingShingle Tanasak Changbunjong
Tatiyanuch Chamsai
Siriporn Tangsudjai
Nareerat Sangkachai
Chalisa Mongkolphan
Luxsana Prasittichai
Tanawat Chaiphongpachara
Molecular detection and characterization of haemoparasites in captive tigers (Panthera tigris) from Thailand
Current Research in Parasitology and Vector-Borne Diseases
Molecular identification
Rhipicephalus sanguineus
Ehrlichia canis
Hepatozoon canis
Hepatozoon felis
Tick
title Molecular detection and characterization of haemoparasites in captive tigers (Panthera tigris) from Thailand
title_full Molecular detection and characterization of haemoparasites in captive tigers (Panthera tigris) from Thailand
title_fullStr Molecular detection and characterization of haemoparasites in captive tigers (Panthera tigris) from Thailand
title_full_unstemmed Molecular detection and characterization of haemoparasites in captive tigers (Panthera tigris) from Thailand
title_short Molecular detection and characterization of haemoparasites in captive tigers (Panthera tigris) from Thailand
title_sort molecular detection and characterization of haemoparasites in captive tigers panthera tigris from thailand
topic Molecular identification
Rhipicephalus sanguineus
Ehrlichia canis
Hepatozoon canis
Hepatozoon felis
Tick
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667114X25000093
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