Bacterial profiling of head lice isolated from the Orang Asli: A first report in Malaysia
https://doi.org/10.47665/tb.37.4.884
- Author:
Abd Majid, M.A.
1
;
Khoo, J.-J.
1
;
Lim, F.-S.
1
;
Khor, C.-S.
1
;
Loong, S.-K.
1
;
Low, V.-L.
1
;
Lee, H.-Y.
1
;
AbuBakar, S.
1
,
2
Author Information
1. Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia&
2. Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:Tropical Biomedicine
2020;37(No.4):884-895
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
This study was carried out to determine from bacterial profiling to the bacterial
profiles of head lice among the Orang Asli communities. The head lice were collected from
Orang Asli community volunteers. The surface sterilized head lice pools were subjected to
genomic DNA extraction while next generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was
performed using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Six female and three male head lice identified
as Pediculus humanus capitis were collected. A total of 111 368 number of NGS sequencing
reads were recorded while another 223 bacterial taxa sequences were obtained. Symbiotic
bacteria showed the highest number of reads, with Arsenophonus and Rhodococcus sequences
being the most abundant genera in the female and male samples, respectively. The female
head lice contained a more distinct microbial diversity. Amongst the pathogenic bacterial
species sequences noted were the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Streptobacillus
moniliformis, Haemophilus influenzae, Bordetella pertussis and Acinetobacter baumannii.
The 16S rRNA genome sequencing revealed a number of rare and pathogenic bacterial
species within the head lice of the Orang Asli. The socio-economic practices of the community
which involved forest foraging and hunting, and their poor living conditions potentially
facilitated the transmission of zoonotic bacterial pathogens, including those found within the
head lice. Hence, there is the possibility that the head lice could serve as vectors for the
transmission of pathogenic bacteria. This study highlighted the diverse microbial community
found within the head lice’s gut of the Orang Asli, with the detection of multiple rare and
pathogenic bacteria capable of causing severe infections.
- Full text:8.2020my1174.pdf
