Gastrointestinal parasite detection in free-ranging long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) across three seasonal sampling periods: First molecular and phylogenetic characterization of Balantioides coli in Thailand

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Abstract Background This study assessed differences in gastrointestinal parasite (GIP) detection among seasonal sampling periods in fecal samples from free-ranging long-tailed macaques ( Macaca fascicularis ) at Dong Ling Don Chao Pu Park, Thailand. Methods Three hundred fecal samples were collected during summer, the rainy season, and winter ( n = 100 per period) and examined using the formalin–ethyl acetate concentration technique. Balantioides coli was confirmed by PCR, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis of an approximately 500-bp ITS1–5.8 S rRNA–ITS2 fragment. Results Parasite detection differed significantly among sampling periods ( p = 0.004). Protozoan and helminth taxa were detected most frequently in rainy-season samples (78% and 26%, respectively). Balantioides coli was the most frequently detected taxon across all periods (59–70%) but showed no significant difference among periods ( p = 0.203). Entamoeba coli , E. histolytica , Strongyloides spp., and Trichuris spp. were detected most frequently in rainy-season samples. Compared with summer samples, rainy-season samples had higher odds of detecting E. coli (OR = 23.22, 95% CI: 3.04–177.21; p < 0.001) and Strongyloides spp. (OR = 6.68, 95% CI: 1.46–30.68; p = 0.012). Rainy-season samples also had the highest number of taxon-level detections and multiple-taxon co-detections. All eight sequences were confirmed as B. coli and formed a cluster separate from the reference variants included in the phylogenetic analysis. Conclusion This study provides the first molecular and phylogenetic characterization of B. coli in long-tailed macaques in Thailand and baseline information on differences in GIP detection among three seasonal sampling periods. The findings may inform multi-period fecal surveillance, veterinarian-led management of this macaque population, and precautionary visitor-hygiene measures.

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Related topics: Parasites and Host Interactions · Primate Behavior and Ecology · Parasite Biology and Host Interactions