Detection and genetic characterization of "Candidatus Mycoplasma haemomacaque" infection among long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) in Thailand using broad-range nested polymerase chain reaction assay

Abstract

Background and Aim: Hemoplasmas are defined as small, epicellular parasitic bacteria that can infect the red blood cells of several mammalian species. Diseases caused by these bacteria range from asymptomatic infections to acute hemolytic anemia. However, data on hemoplasmas in non-human primates in Thailand remain to be limited. Therefore, this study aims to determine the occurrence and genetic diversity of hemoplasmas among long-tailed macaques in Thailand. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 339 long-tailed macaques in three provinces of Thailand. DNA was then extracted from the blood samples and tested for hemoplasma using broad-range nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on the 16S rRNA gene. PCR-positive samples were sequenced, and phylogenetic analysis for species identification was conducted. Results: In total, 38 (11.2%) out of the 339 samples were found to be positive for hemoplasmas, based on the broad-range nested PCR assay of the 16S rRNA gene. The 16S rRNA sequences of Mycoplasma spp. were highly similar (98-99% identity) to "Candidatus Mycoplasma haemomacaque." Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis using maximum likelihood demonstrated that the sequences were located in the same cluster of "Ca. M. haemomacaque." Conclusion: The detection of hemoplasmas among long-tailed macaques in Thailand is reported. Genetic characterization confirmed that these hemoplasmas are closely related to "Ca. M. haemomacaque." These results indicate that long-tailed macaques in several locations in Thailand may be infected and serve as reservoirs for this parasite.

Molecular Detection and Characterization of Hemotropic Mycoplasma in Assamese Macaques (Macaca assamensis) of Northern Thailand

“…M. haematomacacae" infection, with male macaques being marginally more likely. However, the higher prevalence in male macaques was similar to other studies in various nonhuman primates from Brazil [22] and in long-tailed macaques from Tailand [16]. On the other hand, a higher prevalence in female macaques was reported in another study in long-tailed macaques from Tailand [15].…”

“…Compared with other studies in nonhuman primates, there have been reports of 100% (9/9) in Japanese macaques from Japan [ 14 ], 84.6% (44/52) and 55.1% (125/227) in long-tailed macaques from the USA and Thailand, respectively [ 13 , 15 ], and 65.7% (23/35) in rhesus macaques from Thailand [ 15 ]. However, the prevalence in this report was higher than another study in long-tailed macaques in Thailand (11.2%, 38/339) [ 16 ].…”

“…M. haematomacacae” in free-ranging Assamese macaques in Chiang Rai province in the north of Thailand which was similar with previous studies that detected “ Ca . M. haematomacacae” in various species of nonhuman primates in many regions of Thailand including long-tailed macaques [ 15 , 16 ] and rhesus macaques [ 15 ].…”

“…In Thailand, previous reports indicated “ Ca. M. haematomacacae” infections in long-tailed macaques and rhesus macaques across several regions [ 15 , 16 ].…”

Zoonotic pathogens in wild Asian primates: a systematic review highlighting research gaps

“…The bacterium Escherichia coli found in M. mulatta, M. fascicularis , and M. fuscata ( 38 , 88 , 134–136 ), along with Staphylococcus aureus found in M. mulatta , M. fascicularis , and Trachypithecus cristatus ( 80 , 137–140 ) were the most common bacteria ( N = 5 and N = 5 studies, respectively). Apart from the typical oral-fecal route, there were two bacterial species transmitted via the vector-borne route— Bartonella quintana , a zoonotic bacterium that causes fever in humans and was found in the Japanese macaque ( M. fuscata ) and M. fascicularis ( 141 , 142 ), and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemomacaque in M. fascicularis ( 143 )—and two bacterial species transmitted by the respiratory route, namely Mycobacterium tuberculosis in M. mulatta and M. fascicularis ( 144 ) and Streptococcus sp. in M. fascicularis ( 145–147 ).…”