Molecular detection and characterization of Histomonas meleagridis in fighting cocks Thailand
Issued Date
2024-07-01
Resource Type
ISSN
01256491
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-86000319440
Journal Title
Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine
Volume
54
Issue
3
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine Vol.54 No.3 (2024)
Suggested Citation
Taweethavonsawat P., Singh M.N., Kesdangsakonwut S., Jitsamai W., Sonia C., Phupolpan C. Molecular detection and characterization of Histomonas meleagridis in fighting cocks Thailand. Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine Vol.54 No.3 (2024). doi:10.56808/2985-1130.3740 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/106719
Title
Molecular detection and characterization of Histomonas meleagridis in fighting cocks Thailand
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Histomoniasis caused by the protozoa Histomonas meleagridis is a disease of gallinaceous birds which is of special importance to the poultry industry. The turkey is highly susceptible, which results in high mortality. However, the disease is less severe in chickens but sometimes leads to mortality, especially in those reared in the free-range system. During the present study, four dead fighting cocks were presented to the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Livestock Animal Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University for post-mortem examination. Based on history and pathological changes, it was preliminarily diagnosed as histomoniasis. The affected livers and caeca samples were collected from which the genomic DNA was extracted. Using species-specific primers, the 18S rRNA gene was amplified by PCR and sequenced. The sequences thus obtained were analyzed using the BLAST search algorithm demonstrating that they are specific for H. meleagridis. The sequences were aligned and compared with the other related sequences published in the GenBank database. The four Thailand isolates showed 98-100% nucleotide sequence identity. In comparison, it shows 93-100%, 93-99%, and 88-99% nucleotide sequence identity to China, France, and Austria genotypes, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of 18S rRNA gene fragments with pair-wise deletion of all gaps and insertion showed that three of the 4 Thailand isolates were closely related to China and France isolates and formed a distinct cluster. While the other Thailand isolates formed a separate cluster along with Austria isolates. Therefore, the PCR method sequences and phylogenetic tree analysis based on the 18S rRNA gene carried out during the present study revealed that the PCR method is highly sensitive for the detection of H. meleagridis and there is the genetic diversity of H. meleagridis which indicates the presence of different genotypes of this parasite in Thailand.