The first report on internal transcribed spacer region-based characterization of microfilaria in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in Thailand.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aim

Filarial infections can significantly impact the health of both humans and animals. In elephants, filariasis has been associated with cutaneous dermatitis and skin nodules. However, molecular evidence for such infections is limited in Thailand. This study aimed to identify the morphological and molecular characteristics of microfilaria in captive Asian elephants in Thailand.

Materials and methods

Whole blood collected from the ear vein of 129 captive Asian elephants was hematologically analyzed, and the blood parasites were evaluated using three standard techniques: The microcapillary test, thin blood smears, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results

Conventional PCR revealed that approximately 17% (22/129) of the sampled elephants were positive

SUBMITTER: Pabutta C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8448634 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature