First Report of Trypanosoma theileri in Equine Host and Tabanus sp. in Malaysia.
Abstract: Trypanosoma (Megatrypanum) theileri is a non-pathogenic or weakly pathogenic parasite of domestic cattle that is cyclically transmitted by blood-sucking insects, mainly tabanid flies. It has been reported in several countries like Brazil, Venezuela, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Although the ruminant industry is actively expanded in Malaysia, T. theileri and T. theileri-like trypanosomes have never been reported from Malaysia. The low pathogenicity of this species might be the main reason for overlooking T. theileri in this country. This paper describes an unforeseen finding of T. theileri from the outbreak of T. evansi in the state of Kelantan, Malaysia. This is the first time T. theileri reported in Malaysia, and also the first time T. theileri is reported in equid. Clinical signs compatible with infection by blood protozoa were observed; however, it was uncertain whether they were due to T. theileri infection. The detection of T. theileri from the blood sample and Tabanus sp. were confirmed through molecular analysis with PCR and DNA sequencing. In the present study, T. theileri from one horse and one Tabanus sp. were clustered with sequences of the previously described phylogenetic lineages from Japan, Chad and Brazil cattle. Even though this species is claimed to be host-specific with ruminant host restriction, the finding from this study suggested that T. theileri can infect equine whilst other isolates are known to infect ruminant species only. It is suspected there were two genotypes of T. theileri circulating in at least two districts of Kelantan. Thus, further study on multiple DNA regions should be conducted to determine the strains of detected T. theileri in Malaysia. Its impact on the horse and cattle industry should also be revised.
Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Publication Date: 2021-11-13 PubMed ID: 34875427DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103807Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research reports for the first time the discovery of Trypanosoma theileri, a weakly pathogenic parasite, in horses and in the Tabanus species of flies in Malaysia. The presence of this parasite, usually found in cattle, is unexpected and could potentially impact the livestock industry in the region.
Research Background
- The parasite Trypanosoma (Megatrypanum) theileri is usually found in cattle, where it is transmitted by blood-sucking insects, particularly the tabanid fly.
- It has been found in several countries, including Brazil, Venezuela, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
- The parasite has never previously been reported in Malaysia, possibly due to its low pathogenicity.
- The sudden finding of T. theileri was made during an outbreak of another parasite, T. evansi, in the Malaysian state of Kelantan.
Discovery and Verification
- The first instances of T. theileri in Malaysia were detected in a horse and a tabanid fly, making this the first time the parasite has been reported in horses.
- Although clinical signs consistent with infection were observed, it was not clear whether these were caused by T. theileri specifically.
- The presence of T. theileri was confirmed through molecular analysis, involving PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) and DNA sequencing.
- The research found that the Malaysian T. theileri specimens were of the same phylogenetic lineage as those from Japan, Chad, and Brazil.
Implications and Future Research
- While T. theileri has often been claimed to specialize in infecting ruminants, this study indicates that it can also infect horses.
- There appears to be at least two genotypes of T. theileri in different districts of Kelantan.
- Future research is recommended to study multiple DNA regions to better understand the strains of T. theileri found in Malaysia.
- The potential impact of this parasite on the horse and cattle industries in Malaysia will also need to be examined.
Cite This Article
APA
Tan LP, Mohd Rajdi NZI, Mohamad MA, Mohamed M, Hamdan RH, Goriman Khan MAK, Ahmad Syazwan S, Seng Hua L.
(2021).
First Report of Trypanosoma theileri in Equine Host and Tabanus sp. in Malaysia.
J Equine Vet Sci, 108, 103807.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103807 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Paraclinical Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Pengkalan Chepa, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia. Electronic address: li.peng@umk.edu.my.
- Paraclinical Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Pengkalan Chepa, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia.
- Paraclinical Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Pengkalan Chepa, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia.
- Paraclinical Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Pengkalan Chepa, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia.
- Paraclinical Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Pengkalan Chepa, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia.
- Paraclinical Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Pengkalan Chepa, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia.
- Mycology and Pathology Laboratory, Forest Health and Conservation Programme, Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Kepong, Selangor, Malaysia.
- Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cattle
- Cattle Diseases
- Diptera
- Horse Diseases
- Horses
- Malaysia / epidemiology
- Phylogeny
- Trypanosoma / genetics
- Trypanosomiasis / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Chávez-Larrea MA, Cholota-Iza C, Cueva-Villavicencio J, Yugcha-Díaz M, Ron-Román JW, Rodríguez-Cabezas A, Saegerman C, Reyna-Bello A. Molecular identification of Trypanosoma theileri (Laveran, 1902) in cattle from two slaughterhouses in Ecuador and its relation with other haemotropic agents. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1153069.
- Frisch V, Fuehrer HP, Cavalleri JV. Relevant Brachycera (Excluding Oestroidea) for Horses in Veterinary Medicine: A Systematic Review. Pathogens 2023 Apr 6;12(4).
- Gomontean B, Wannasingha W, Jumpato W, Nabkrathok A, Jaroenchaiwattanachote C, Wongpakam K, Pramual P. Molecular Detections of Hematoparasites in Tabanids (Diptera: Tabanidae) from Northeastern Thailand. Pathogens 2025 Nov 27;14(12).
- Sahin OF, Erol U, Sakar HF, Altay K. Molecular detection and CATL-based genotyping of Trypanosoma theileri in small ruminants from Türkiye. Trop Anim Health Prod 2025 Dec 12;57(9):542.
- Sahin OF, Erol U, Sakar HF, Altay K. The First Molecular Detection of the Presence and Prevalence of Trypanosoma theileri in Cattle from Türkiye. Acta Parasitol 2025 Jun 2;70(3):122.
- Thinnabut K, Maleewong W, Tangkawanit U. Direct Observation of Feeding Behavior of Adult Tabanidae (Diptera) on Beef Cattle from Khon Kaen Province in Thailand. Insects 2024 Aug 10;15(8).
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