Prevalence of Zoonotic Intestinal Parasites in Meat Goats in Southern Thailand.

Background: Intestinal parasites not only lead to poor goat health and productivity but can also affect human health. We investigated the distribution of zoonotic intestinal parasites among goats in southern Thailand to assess the human health risks. Materials and Methods: Overall, 561 fecal samples were collected randomly from goats in farms (55) in Songkhla, Satun, Pattalung, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat provinces between January 2020 to January 2022. Parasite eggs were detected via the standard protocol formalin ether concentration technique (FECT). Results: Samples containing one or more intestinal parasites accounted for 97.33% (543/561) of the total samples, and the percentage of zoonotic parasite was 80.04% (449/561). Among the positive samples, two types of zoonotic helminths were identified, Strongylid egg type (79.32%) and Fasciola spp. (2.14%). Strongylid egg type was highly abundant in samples from Satun (84.62%), Songkhla (82.74%), Pattalung (79.31%), and Yala (77.27%). Fasciola spp. was mostly found in samples form Pattalung (13.79%) and Songkhla (1.12%). Eimeria spp. was the mostly identified protozoa 25.67%. It was mostly identified in samples from Narathiwat (75%), Pattani (41.9%), and Songkhla (31.41%). Mixed infections accounted for 40.82% of the total with 33 patterns. It was found that Strongylid egg types occurred in 28 patterns (84.85%). Strongylid egg types-Eimeria spp.-pattern was the most commonly found. Conclusion: Based on the results, zoonotic helminth infection was found together with widespread and high diversity of intestinal parasites infection in meat goats, which affect animal health and may pose a risk to human health. Mass deworming programs with a proper anthelmintic drugs and good agricultural practices need to be encouraged by the government so that people who contact with goats should practice good hygiene behavior. Farm management should be applied by intensive goat raising with pasture circulating to reduce parasite egg contamination. Moreover, fresh fertilizers from goat faces should be avoided.

Prevalence and Virulent Gene Profiles of Sorbitol Non-Fermenting Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Isolated from Goats in Southern Thailand.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is the pathogenic E. coli causing disease in humans via the consumption or handling of animal food products. The high prevalence of these organisms in ruminants has been widely reported. Among STECs, O157 is one of the most lethal serotypes causing serious disease in humans. The present study investigated the prevalence of sorbitol non-fermenting STECs in goats reared in the lower region of southern Thailand and described the virulent factors carried by those isolates. Sorbitol non-fermenting (SNF)-STECs were found in 57 out of 646 goats (8.82%; 95% CI 6.75% to 11.28%). Molecular identification revealed that 0.77% of SNF-STEC isolates were the O157 serotype. Shiga toxin genes (stx1 and stx2) and other virulent genes (i.e., eaeA, ehxA, and saa) were detected by molecular techniques. The presence of stx1 (75.44%) was significantly higher than that of stx2 (22.81%), whereas 1.75% of the total isolates carried both stx1 and stx2. Most of the isolates carried ehxA for 75.44%, followed by saa (42.11%) and eaeA (12.28%). In addition, 21.05% of STEC isolates did not carry any eaeA, ehxA, or saa. The first investigation on SNF-STECs in goat was conducted in the lower region of southern Thailand. The present study revealed that goats could be one of the potential carriers of SNF-STECs in the observing area.

Prevalence of major nematodes and human factors that affect infection in the zebra dove in a closed cage system.

Background and Aim: Roundworms cause infections in the avian population that lead to illness and poor production. The singing zebra dove is an economically important animal in the Indo-Malay region. The prevalence of these parasitic groups in zebra doves is unknown. This study estimated the prevalence and associated human risk factors of gastrointestinal nematode infections in zebra dove farming. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to April 2021. The study was conducted on 184 doves in three zebra dove farms. Fecal samples were collected from pooled zebra dove droppings. Major proportions and infection intensity of gastrointestinal nematodes were morphologically identified and morphometrically investigated. Associated human factors were assessed through the interview surveys among farmers. Results: Results showed that 36.96% of the zebra doves were infected. The primary nematodes were Ascaridia galli (34.78%), Heterakis gallinarum (6.52%), Trichostrongylus tenuis (2.17%), Syngamus spp. (4.35%), and Amidostomum spp. (2.17%). The primary human factors that contribute to parasitic infection were poor hygiene, food contamination with parasites, and inappropriate deworming. Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes in the zebra dove in the close cage system. Human factors played key roles as risk factors, and improves farming management will help reduce parasitic infections. However, these nematodes may contribute to poor health status and poor productivity of zebra doves. Further extensive studies on clinical signs and pathological changes should be conducted.

Gastrointestinal parasite infections in fighting bulls in South Thailand.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Bullfighting is booming in South Thailand, attracting tourists, and stimulating local economies. The bulls are well raised and practiced, but in many cases, the owners lack knowledge and understanding of the prevention of animal diseases, including parasitic infections. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasite infection in fighting bulls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1501 fecal samples were collected from bulls aged 2-5 years visiting the animal hospital of Prince of Songkla University during 2016-2019. The formalin ethylether concentration method was used to detect GI parasites in feces. RESULTS: The overall rate of GI parasite infection was 94.27%. Rumen fluke eggs were detected in 97.17% of all infected animals, followed in prevalence by strongyles (26.29%), Eurytrema spp. (2.83%), Fasciola spp. (2.47%), Trichuris spp. (0.35%), and Moniezia spp. (0.14%). Two protozoan genera were identified, Balantidium coli (6.64%) and Eimeria spp. (3.53%). Coinfection was observed in 33.99%. The five most common coinfections were rumen fluke with strongyles (20.85%), B. coli (4.66%), Eimeria spp. (1.55%), Eurytrema spp. (1.34%), and Fasciola spp. (1.06%). CONCLUSION: In addition to high GI parasite infection rates, zoonotic parasites were observed. Therefore, it is recommended that farmers should follow good sanitation and prevention practices to control parasitic infections in bulls, and proper hygienic precautions should be taken by the owners. Implementation of deworming programs using appropriateanthelmintic drugs as well as rotation of anthelmintic drug that have different chemical agent to prevent further drug resistance should be considered. The promotion of bull health management is highly recommended to protect humans from zoonotic diseases.

Investigation of Trypanosoma evansi infection in bullfighting cattle in Southern Thailand.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Trypanosoma evansi infection has been reported in Thai livestock such as beef and dairy cattle. However, there is little information on T. evansi infection in bullfighting cattle in Southern Thailand. The aim of this study was to investigate the infection of T. evansi in bullfighting cattle presented for health checks at the Animal Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood and serum samples were collected from 177 bullfighting cattle from April 2016 to February 2017 after bullfighting matches. Animal inspected showed signs of fever, weight loss, or exercise intolerance. Investigation of T. evansi infection was tested using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with TBR primers and using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with T. evansi crude antigen. RESULTS: The seroprevalence of T. evansi in bullfighting cattle was 22.60% (40/177). The PCR results detected no parasite DNA in this study. However, bullfighting cattle may serve as T. evansi reservoirs. CONCLUSION: Health checking procedures for T. evansi should be promoted for bullfighting events so that infected animals can be quarantined in the preparatory stages of such events.