Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infections in <i>Macaca fascicularis</i> in Northeast Thailand: A One Health Perspective on Zoonotic Risks
Gastrointestinal (GI) parasitic infections in non-human primates are of growing concern due to their implications for both veterinary and public health. Long-tailed macaques (<i>Macaca fascicularis</i>), commonly found in peri-urban and temple environments in Southeast Asia, may act as r...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Animals |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/14/2112 |
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| Summary: | Gastrointestinal (GI) parasitic infections in non-human primates are of growing concern due to their implications for both veterinary and public health. Long-tailed macaques (<i>Macaca fascicularis</i>), commonly found in peri-urban and temple environments in Southeast Asia, may act as reservoirs for zoonotic parasites, posing risks to humans and domestic animals. This study investigated the prevalence and species diversity of GI parasites in free-ranging macaques from four provinces in Northeast Thailand (Loei, Khon Kaen, Bueng Kan, and Sisaket). A cross-sectional study was conducted between April and May 2025. A total of 445 fecal samples were examined using two parasitological techniques: agar plate culture (APC) and the formalin–ethyl acetate concentration technique (FECT). The overall prevalence of parasitic infection was 86.5%, with <i>Strongyloides</i> sp. (65.2%) as the most prevalent helminth and <i>Balantioides coli</i>-like (29.5%) and <i>Entamoeba histolytica</i>-like (28.8%) as the predominant protozoa. Other parasites identified included helminths (<i>Trichuris</i> sp., <i>Ascaris</i> sp.) and protozoa (<i>Blastocystis</i> sp., <i>Iodamoeba bütschlii</i>, <i>Entamoeba coli</i>, and <i>Chilomastix mesnili</i>). Mixed infections were frequently observed, with both helminths and protozoa co-occurring in 37.3% of cases. The high infection rates and parasite diversity reflect substantial environmental contamination and sustained transmission cycles. These findings underscore the importance of integrated surveillance in wildlife populations and the need for One Health-based approaches to minimize zoonotic transmission risks at the human–animal–environment interface. |
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| ISSN: | 2076-2615 |