Background and Aim: Bartonellosis is an emerging worldwide zoonosis caused by bacteria belonging to the genus Bartonella. Several studies have been conducted on the prevalence of Bartonella infections from animals and humans, including reports from wild and domestic ruminants. However, there has been only one report of Bartonella infection in water buffaloes from the northeastern part of Thailand. Moreover, the seroprevalence of Bartonella spp. in water buffaloes still remains unknown. This study was conducted to explore the prevalence of Bartonella spp. among water buffaloes from South Thailand using molecular and serological techniques. Materials and Methods: A total of 312 samples (156 blood and 156 sera) of 156 water buffaloes from 29 farms in Phatthalung Province, South Thailand, were collected from January to March 2021. All samples were screened for Bartonella spp. using polymerase chain reaction and indirect immunofluorescence assay. Results: The seroprevalence of antibodies against three Bartonella spp. was 16.03% (25/156, 95% confidence interval: 10.65-22.74%), and among 25 water buffaloes with seroprevalence, 56%, 20%, and 24% were positive for antibodies against Bartonella henselae, Bartonella vinsonii subspp. berkhoffii, and Bartonella tamiae, respectively. No significant difference was detected among seroprevalence, gender, age, and ectoparasite infestation. Conclusion: This is the first report of the seroprevalence of antibodies against B. henselae, B. vinsonii subspp. berkhoffii, and B. tamiae in water buffaloes from South Thailand. Further studies are required on the epidemiology of Bartonella infection among water buffaloes, related personnel, and ectoparasites.

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Background and Aim: Q fever is a worldwide zoonosis caused by the intracellular bacterium, Coxiella burnetii. A few studies focused on the occurrence of Q fever infection in water buffaloes in Thailand have been conducted; however, little is known regarding the seroprevalence of C. burnetii antibodies in buffaloes. In the present study, we describe the prevalence of Q fever infection in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in Phatthalung, Thailand. Materials and Methods: A total of 421 samples (156 blood, 156 sera, and 109 ectoparasites [lice]) were collected from 156 water buffaloes from 29 farms of the Phatthalung Province from January 22, 2021, to March 26, 2021. The blood and ectoparasite samples were screened for C. burnetii DNA using a polymerase chain reaction assay and the sera were tested for C. burnetii antibody using an indirect immunofluorescence assay. Results: C. burnetii DNA was not detected in blood or ectoparasites; however, the seroprevalence of individual water buffaloes was 4.49% (95% CI: 2.19-8.99%), whereas that of the herd was 13.79%. There was a significant difference between abortion history and Q fever infection at 29 farms (p=0.005; OR=33.55 [95%CI: 156-722.38]). Conclusion: This is the first report describing the low seroprevalence of C. burnetii antibodies in water buffaloes in Phatthalung Province, Thailand. The occurrence of this pathogen in buffaloes with reproductive disorders and people working with buffaloes warrant further investigation. Animal health authorities should inform farmers to effectively prevent and control this zoonosis.

Background and Aim: Scrub typhus and murine typhus are globally distributed zoonoses caused by the intracellular Gram-negative bacteria Orientia tsutsugamushi and Rickettsia typhi, respectively. Numerous studies have been undertaken on rickettsial illnesses in humans and animals, including arthropod vectors, in Thailand. However, the reports on the seroprevalence of antibodies to O. tsutsugamushi and R. typhi in buffaloes is extremely rare. Thus, this study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of both rickettsial infections in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in Phatthalung Province, southern Thailand. Materials and Methods: From February to March 2023, a total of 156 serum samples were collected from 156 water buffaloes on 29 farms in Phatthalung province. The sera were screened for antibodies against O. tsutsugamushi and R. typhi using an indirect immunofluorescence assay. Results: The seroprevalence of antibodies against O. tsutsugamushi and R. typhi in individual water buffaloes was 4.49% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.19%-8.97%) and 3.85% (95% CI: 1.77%-8.14%), respectively, whereas 31% (9/29) of the herds had buffaloes with antibodies. The number of buffaloes with scrub typhus infection and ectoparasite infestation was statistically significant (p < 0.05; odds ratio = 6.25 [95% CI: 1.19-33.33]). Intriguingly, the prevalence of scrub typhus antibodies in buffaloes that were not infested with ectoparasites was much higher than those that were. Conclusion: This is the first report of O. tsutsugamushi and R. typhi antibodies in water buffalo sera in Southern Thailand. Two serum samples showed a high antibody titer against O. tsutsugamushi. Seroprevalence mainly occurred in non-ectoparasite-infested buffaloes, especially for O. tsutsugamushi antibodies. At the herd level, one-third of the studied farms showed seroprevalence. Additional research on the occurrence of these pathogens in vectors and in other animal reservoirs is necessary. Keywords: indirect immunofluorescence assay, Orientia tsutsugamushi, Rickettsia typhi, seroprevalence, Thailand, water buffaloes.