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Molecular discrimination and genetic diversity of three common tick-borne pathogens in dogs in Thailand

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 September 2021

Napassorn Poolsawat ,
Keiichiro Tazawa ,
Witchuta Junsiri ,
Amaya Watthanadirek ,
Nitipon Srionrod ,
Runglawan Chawengkirttikul  and
Panat Anuracpreeda Open the ORCID record for Panat Anuracpreeda [Opens in a new window]
Napassorn Poolsawat
Affiliation:
Parasitology Research Laboratory (PRL), Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
Keiichiro Tazawa
Affiliation:
Worldwide Veterinary Service Thailand, Hang Dong, Chiang Mai 50230, Thailand
Witchuta Junsiri
Affiliation:
Parasitology Research Laboratory (PRL), Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
Amaya Watthanadirek
Affiliation:
Parasitology Research Laboratory (PRL), Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
Nitipon Srionrod
Affiliation:
Parasitology Research Laboratory (PRL), Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
Runglawan Chawengkirttikul
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Panat Anuracpreeda*
Affiliation:
Parasitology Research Laboratory (PRL), Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
*
Author for correspondence: Panat Anuracpreeda, E-mail: panat.anu@mahidol.edu, panat2@gmail.com
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Abstract

There was little information regarding the occurrence of canine vector-borne disease (CVBDs) in shelter dogs in Thailand. This work is the first report regarding a molecular method used to determine the occurrence and genetic diversity of three canine tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) (Hepatozoon canis, Anaplasma platys and Ehrlichia canis) in blood samples from 275 shelter dogs in the north and central areas of Thailand. The PCR results based on the 18S rRNA and 16S rRNA genes showed that 71 (25.82%) dogs were positive for at least a TBP. The overall occurrence rates of H. canis, A. platys and E. canis infections were 1.81, 16.36 and 7.64%, respectively. For the phylogenetic analysis, A. platys 16S rRNA gene was genetically diverse, while H. canis 18S rRNA and E. canis 16S rRNA genes were conserved. The haplotype diversity exhibited 12 and 2 haplotypes as well as 78 and 178 polymorphic sites of A. platys and E. canis 16S rRNA genes, respectively. Our findings could be used to improve the understanding of phylogeny and genetic diversity of TBP rRNA genes and used to ameliorate the diagnosis and control programmes for the diseases in Thailand.

Keywords

Anaplasma platysEhrlichia canisgenetic diversityHepatozoon canisnested polymerase chain reactionphylogenetic analysis
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 149 , Issue 1 , January 2022 , pp. 65 - 75
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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