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First molecular identification and genetic diversity of Strongyloides stercoralis and Strongyloides fuelleborni in human communities having contact with long-tailed macaques in Thailand

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Abstract

The parasitic nematodes, Strongyloides stercoralis and Strongyloides fuelleborni, can infect humans and non-human primates. We amplified and sequenced a portion of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene (rRNA) and of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene of Strongyloides from humans in the study area in Thailand, where people have frequent contact with long-tailed macaques. Fresh stool samples were obtained from 213 people and were examined using the agar plate culture method. The overall prevalence of Strongyloides infection was 8.92% (19/213). From a total of 19 worms (one per infected person), 18 adult males had 18S rRNA sequences identical with that of S. stercoralis and one adult female had a sequence almost identical with that of S. fuelleborni. A median-joining network of cox1 sequences revealed nine new haplotypes from S. stercoralis, and an overall haplotype diversity (Hd) of 0.9309. The single haplotype of S. fuelleborni was also new and contributed to an overall haplotype diversity for that species of 0.9842. This is the first molecular identification of S. stercoralis and S. fuelleborni in a human community having contact with long-tailed macaques in Thailand. It is also the first report of S. fuelleborni infecting a human in Thailand.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank David Blair for valuable suggestions and assistance with the presentation of this paper through Khon Kaen University Publication Clinic.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham, Thailand

    Tongjit Thanchomnang, Oranuch Sanpool, Somjintana Tourtip, Sujitra Yahom, Jitsuda Kullawat & Prayong Radomyos

  2. Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Mekong Health Science Research Institute, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

    Tongjit Thanchomnang, Pewpan M. Intapan, Oranuch Sanpool, Rutchanee Rodpai & Wanchai Maleewong

  3. Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

    Pewpan M. Intapan, Oranuch Sanpool, Rutchanee Rodpai & Wanchai Maleewong

  4. Primary Care Unit, Kumpawapi Hospital, Kumpawapi District, Udon Thani, Thailand

    Chalida Thammasiri

Authors
  1. Tongjit Thanchomnang
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  2. Pewpan M. Intapan
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  3. Oranuch Sanpool
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  4. Rutchanee Rodpai
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  5. Somjintana Tourtip
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  6. Sujitra Yahom
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  7. Jitsuda Kullawat
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  8. Prayong Radomyos
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  9. Chalida Thammasiri
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  10. Wanchai Maleewong
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Correspondence to Wanchai Maleewong.

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Funding

This study was supported by a TRF Senior Research Scholar Grant, Thailand Research Fund (TT, PMI, and WM, grant no. RTA5880001); the Higher Education Research Promotion and National Research University Project of Thailand, Office of the Higher Education Commission, Thailand, through the Health Cluster (SHeP-GMS) (WM); the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University (WM and PMI, grant no. TR57201); Scholarship under Doctoral Training Program from Graduate School Research Affairs and Khon Kaen University (OS, grant no. 58101) and the Faculty of Medicine, Mahasarakham University (TT).

Ethical approval

The study protocol was approved by the Khon Kaen University Ethics Committee for Human Research (HE571286). Each participant was informed of study methods, risks, and benefits of the process. Before enrolment, written consent was obtained from all adult participants and from parents or legal guardians of minors.

Conflict of interests

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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Thanchomnang, T., Intapan, P.M., Sanpool, O. et al. First molecular identification and genetic diversity of Strongyloides stercoralis and Strongyloides fuelleborni in human communities having contact with long-tailed macaques in Thailand. Parasitol Res 116, 1917–1923 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-017-5469-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-017-5469-z

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