Epidemiological risk factors and phylogenetic affinities of Sarcocystis infecting village chickens and pigs in Peninsular Malaysia
https://doi.org/10.47665/tb.40.3.002
- Author:
Sabrina, D.L.
1
;
Latiffah, H.
1
;
Reuben, S.K.S.
1
;
Ooi, P.T.
2
Author Information
1. Department of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnostics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), 44300 UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
2. Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), 44300 UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Sarcocystis;
village chicken;
pig;
risk factor;
phylogenetic.
- From:Tropical Biomedicine
2023;40(No.3):281-289
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The intake of food and water containing the Sarcocystis parasite has been linked to a number of
outbreaks worldwide, including Malaysia. Nevertheless, the lack of surveys and epidemiological data
on Sarcocystis infections in Malaysia makes it difficult to estimate its occurrence in humans and animals.
A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Sarcocystis and the risk factors
associated with infection among village chickens and pigs reared under different farm managements
in Peninsular Malaysia. Phylogenetic trees were constructed using partial fragments of the 18S rRNA
gene and ITS1 sequences. In the present study, 680 sera samples were collected from village chickens
(n=250) and commercial pigs (n=433) and anti-Sarcocystis antibodies were screened using the enzymelinked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) kit. At the animal level, the prevalence of Sarcocystis was 9.2%
(95% CI: 5.92-13.48) and at the farm level, it was 64.0% (95% CI: 42.52-82.03) in village chickens. The
animal-level seroprevalence of Sarcocystis for pigs was 3.7% (95% CI: 2.13-5.93) and 36.8% (95% CI:
16.29-61.64) at the farm-level. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was conducted on meat samples from
various parts of village chickens (n=250) consisting of brain, heart, lung, and pectoralis muscle tissues,
and pork (n=121) consisting of intercostal muscle, diaphragm, and tongue. Sarcocystis DNA was detected
in 6.4% (95% CI: 4.60-11.60) of village chicken samples but zero in pork samples. A total of 11 unique
Sarcocystis haplotypes were isolated from these tissue samples. Multivariable logistic regression analysis
of the putative risk factors showed a statistically significant association between Sarcocystis infection
in pigs and uncovered storage of feed. Although no zoonotic Sarcocystis was isolated in this study, we
reported the first discovery of S. wenzeli in Malaysia.
- Full text:8.2023my1418.pdf
