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

• Main Authors: Wanat Sricharern, Supakarn Kaewchot, Phirabhat Saengsawang, Sarawan Kaewmongkol, Tawin Inpankaew
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-05-01
• Series: Pathogens
• Subjects: <i>Bartonella quintana</i>; long-tailed macaque; <i>Macaca fascicularis</i>; Thailand
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/5/629

<i>Bartonella quintana</i> is a zoonotic pathogen with a worldwide distribution. Humans and non-human primates are considered to be natural reservoir hosts for <i>B. quintana.</i> However, information on the molecular epidemiology of this organism is very limited in regard to long-tailed macaques (<i>Macaca fascicularis</i>) in Thailand. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the occurrence and genetic diversity of <i>Bartonella</i> 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 <i>Bartonella</i> spp. using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting the 16S rRNA, <i>gltA</i> and <i>ftsZ</i> 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, <i>gltA</i> and <i>ftsZ</i> genes. Nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the obtained sequences were closely related to <i>B. quintana</i> previously detected in non-human primates. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected in the <i>gltA</i> and <i>ftsZ</i> gene sequences. This study revealed that long-tailed macaques in Thailand carried <i>B. quintana.</i> Despite the low infection rate detected, long-tailed macaques may be a reservoir of <i>B. quintana</i>.