Abstract: Mixed strongylid infections significantly impact equine health and performance. Traditional microscopy-based methods exhibit limitations in accurately identifying strongylid species. Nemabiome deep amplicon sequencing approach previously succeeded in describing the strongylid communities in livestock including equids. However, there are no available studies that describe the structural communities of strongylid parasites in horses in Thailand. Therefore, this study was undertaken encompassing the ITS-2 rDNA metabarcoding assay to characterize strongylid species within horse fecal samples collected from a cohort of yearlings at the largest domesticated stud farm in Thailand. In addition, to investigate the capability of ITS-2 rDNA in assessing the phylogenetic relationships among the identified strongylid species. Results: The study identified 14 strongylid species in the examined equine populations, each with varying prevalence. Notably, Cylicocyclus nassatus and Cylicostephanus longibursatus were identified as the predominant species, with Strongylus spp. conspicuously absent. The phylogenetic analysis of 207 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) displayed a complex relationship among the investigated cyathostomin species, with some species are positioned across multiple clades, demonstrating close associations with various species and genera. Conclusions: The ITS-2 nemabiome sequencing technique provided a detailed picture of horse strongylid parasite species in the studied population. This establishes a foundation for future investigations into the resistance status of these parasites and enables efforts to mitigate their impact.
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Overview
This research used DNA metabarcoding techniques to identify and analyze the community structure of strongylid nematode parasites in domesticated horses in Thailand.
The study focused on characterizing the species diversity and phylogenetic relationships of nematodes based on ITS-2 rDNA sequences from horse fecal samples.
Background and Motivation
Strongylid nematodes are parasitic worms commonly infecting horses, leading to health issues and performance decline.
Mixed infections by various strongylid species complicate diagnosis and treatment.
Traditional microscopy methods struggle to accurately identify species due to morphological similarities.
Advances in molecular techniques such as the nemabiome deep amplicon sequencing allow for more precise species identification and community profiling.
Previous studies applied this method to livestock and some equid populations but none focused on horses in Thailand.
Study Objectives
To characterize the species composition and prevalence of strongylid nematodes in domesticated horses at Thailand’s largest stud farm.
To apply ITS-2 rDNA metabarcoding assays to fecal samples for species identification.
To explore the phylogenetic relationships among identified strongylid species to understand their genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships.
Methodology
Collection of fecal samples from a cohort of yearling horses at the stud farm.
Extraction of DNA from fecal material targeting the ITS-2 region of ribosomal DNA, a commonly used molecular marker for nematodes.
Use of metabarcoding, a method involving high-throughput sequencing of mixed DNA samples to identify multiple species simultaneously.
Generation of amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) representing unique DNA sequences corresponding to different nematode species.
Phylogenetic analysis conducted on 207 ASVs to determine relationships between species and evaluate the ITS-2 marker’s effectiveness in resolving these relationships.
Key Findings
Fourteen distinct strongylid nematode species were identified within the horse population.
Species prevalence was variable; Cylicocyclus nassatus and Cylicostephanus longibursatus were the most dominant species.
Strongylus species, typically considered important large strongyles, were not detected in these samples.
The phylogenetic tree showed a complex arrangement: some species were distributed across multiple clades, indicating close genetic relationships both within and across genera.
These results underscore the genetic diversity and intricate species relationships present in the strongylid community infecting horses in Thailand.
Conclusions and Implications
The ITS-2 rDNA metabarcoding method proved effective in delineating the strongylid community structure in horses, overcoming limitations of traditional microscopy.
This study provides a baseline understanding of equine nematode diversity in Thailand, useful for ongoing parasite management efforts.
Insights from the phylogenetic relationships can inform future research into parasite evolution and the spread of anthelmintic resistance.
Establishing the strongylid species landscape helps to guide targeted parasite control strategies and improve horse health and productivity.
Significance of the Research
Contributes new knowledge about nematode parasitism in an understudied equine population.
Demonstrates the practical utility of metabarcoding as a diagnostic and epidemiological tool for veterinary parasitology.
Supports broader efforts in equine health to monitor parasite dynamics and combat drug resistance globally.
Cite This Article
APA
Hamad MH, Islam SI, Jitsamai W, Chinkangsadarn T, Naraporn D, Ouisuwan S, Taweethavonsawat P.
(2024).
Metabarcoding study to reveal the structural community of strongylid nematodes in domesticated horses in Thailand.
BMC Vet Res, 20(1), 70.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-024-03934-y
The International Graduate Program of Veterinary Science and Technology (VST), Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
Infectious Diseases, Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt.
Parasitology Unit, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
Islam, Sk Injamamul
The International Graduate Program of Veterinary Science and Technology (VST), Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
Parasitology Unit, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
Jitsamai, Wanarit
Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Chinkangsadarn, Teerapol
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
Naraporn, Darm
Horse Farm and Laboratory Animal Breeding Center, Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, The Thai Red Cross Society, Hua-Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, 77110, Thailand.
Ouisuwan, Suraseha
Horse Farm and Laboratory Animal Breeding Center, Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, The Thai Red Cross Society, Hua-Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, 77110, Thailand.
Taweethavonsawat, Piyanan
Parasitology Unit, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand. Piyanan.T@chula.ac.th.
Biomarkers in Animals Parasitology Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand. Piyanan.T@chula.ac.th.
MeSH Terms
Humans
Animals
Horses
Horse Diseases / epidemiology
Horse Diseases / parasitology
Thailand / epidemiology
Phylogeny
Nematoda
Strongyloidea / genetics
Feces / parasitology
DNA, Ribosomal
Parasite Egg Count / veterinary
Grant Funding
FOOD66310019 / Thailand Science Research and Innovation Fund, Chulalongkorn University
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no competing interests.
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Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.
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