Sansamur Chalutwan, Boonchuay Kanpapat, Ngasaman Ruttayaporn, Olana Kenny Oriel Aranas, Punyapornwithaya Veerasak
Akkhararatchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.
Centre for One Health, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.
BMC Vet Res. 2025 Jun 2;21(1):397. doi: 10.1186/s12917-025-04846-1.
Water buffaloes () play a critical role in maintaining biodiversity and supporting the local economy within the unique ecosystem of the Thale Noi Wetlands in Southern Thailand, a globally recognized heritage site. However, these buffaloes are commonly infected by hemoprotozoan parasites, which can lead to severe pathological conditions. This study aims to investigate the epidemiology of hemoprotozoan infections, assess the occurrence of co-infections among these pathogens, and identify the risk factors associated with infections in water buffalo. A total of 155 water buffaloes from 43 farms in the Thale Noi Wetlands were included in the study, and their blood samples were analyzed using PCR to detect the presence of , , and . A phylogenetic analysis based on the gene encoding a major piroplasm surface protein was performed to assess genetic diversity. Additionally, questionnaire surveys were conducted on these farms. The associations between the presence of hemoprotozoan parasites and various risk factors were analyzed using logistic regression. Furthermore, Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) was employed to explore the patterns and relationships among single and co-infections and associated factors.
The prevalence of , . , and . infections were 29.37, 23.81, and 5.6, respectively, with triple infections accounting for 4.76 The genotype N-1 was identified as the predominant genotype. The major risk factors for infection included poor body condition and younger buffaloes 1–5 years old Male buffaloes had higher odds of . infection than female buffaloes. Additionally, the MCA identified significant clustering of single infections and co-infections, with . and . co-infection showing the strongest association and emerging as the most prevalent 25.39 Younger buffaloes and those with poor body condition scores had higher odds of co-infections.
This study reveals a high prevalence of hemoprotozoan infections among water buffaloes in the Thale Noi Wetland. Co-infection with and emerged as a significant finding. Additionally, the Type N-1 strain was identified as the predominant genotype, representing the first documented report of its presence in Southern Thailand. Younger age and poor body condition were key risk factors associated with infection. Addressing these factors through targeted interventions may enhance buffalo health and productivity within this ecologically important ecosystem.
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12917-025-04846-1.
在泰国南部达叻诺伊湿地这一全球公认的遗产地独特生态系统中，水牛在维持生物多样性和支持当地经济方面发挥着关键作用。然而，这些水牛普遍感染血液原虫寄生虫，可导致严重的病理状况。本研究旨在调查血液原虫感染的流行病学，评估这些病原体之间合并感染的发生率，并确定与水牛感染相关的风险因素。来自达叻诺伊湿地43个农场的155头水牛被纳入研究，其血液样本通过聚合酶链反应（PCR）进行分析，以检测泰勒焦虫（）、巴贝斯虫（）和双芽巴贝斯虫（）的存在。基于编码主要梨形虫表面蛋白的基因进行系统发育分析，以评估遗传多样性。此外，还对这些农场进行了问卷调查。使用逻辑回归分析血液原虫寄生虫的存在与各种风险因素之间的关联。此外，采用多重对应分析（MCA）来探索单一感染和合并感染及其相关因素之间的模式和关系。
泰勒焦虫、巴贝斯虫和双芽巴贝斯虫感染的患病率分别为29.37%、23.81%和5.6%，三重感染占4.76%。基因型N-1被确定为主要基因型。泰勒焦虫感染的主要风险因素包括身体状况差和1至5岁的较年幼水牛。雄性水牛感染巴贝斯虫的几率高于雌性水牛。此外，多重对应分析确定了单一感染和合并感染的显著聚类，泰勒焦虫和巴贝斯虫合并感染显示出最强的关联，且是最普遍的（25.39%）。较年幼的水牛和身体状况评分较差的水牛合并感染的几率更高。
本研究揭示了达叻诺伊湿地水牛中血液原虫感染的高患病率。泰勒焦虫和巴贝斯虫合并感染是一个重要发现。此外，N-1型泰勒焦虫菌株被确定为主要基因型，这是其在泰国南部存在的首次文献报道。年龄较小和身体状况差是与感染相关的关键风险因素。通过有针对性的干预措施解决这些因素，可能会提高这个生态重要生态系统中水牛的健康水平和生产力。
在线版本包含可在10.1186/s12917-025-04846-1获取的补充材料。
