<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<sec id="j_jvetres-2022-0049_s_005">
<h3>Introduction</h3>
<p>Avian malaria caused by <italic>Plasmodium</italic> and the malaria-like parasites of the genus <italic>Haemoproteus</italic> has been regularly described in multiple regions worldwide. These parasites significantly affect many avian taxa, including domestic chickens and fighting cocks. There are limited epidemiological studies of these blood parasites in vertebrate hosts, especially in Thailand.</p></sec>
<sec id="j_jvetres-2022-0049_s_006">
<h3>Material and Methods</h3>
<p>This study used microscopic examination of blood samples and PCR amplification exploiting primers for nucleotide sequences of <italic>Plasmodium</italic> or <italic>Haemoproteus</italic> species based on the cytochrome <italic>b</italic> gene to determine the occurrence of <italic>Plasmodium</italic> spp. in fighting cocks.</p></sec>
<sec id="j_jvetres-2022-0049_s_007">
<h3>Results</h3>
<p>Examination of 249 blood samples of fighting cocks revealed that 41.37% (103/249) were positive for malaria by microscopic examination and 88.76% (221/249) were positive by DNA amplification. Sequencing and DNA analysis of 61 PCR products revealed that infection by <italic>Plasmodium juxtanucleare</italic> was the most common avian malaria in fighting cocks in Thailand followed by infections by <italic>Plasmodium gallinaceum</italic>; however, <italic>Haemoproteus</italic> infection was not discovered.</p></sec>
<sec id="j_jvetres-2022-0049_s_008">
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>This study indicated that plasmodiasis is widespread in fighting cocks in Thailand although the prevalence was not clearly determined; therefore, prevention and control strategies for these protozoa should be improved, especially those for avoiding vector exposure and eliminating mosquito breeding sites.</p></sec>
</abstract>

Introduction
Avian malaria caused by Plasmodium and the malaria-like parasites of the genus Haemoproteus has been regularly described in multiple regions worldwide. These parasites significantly affect many avian taxa, including domestic chickens and fighting cocks. There are limited epidemiological studies of these blood parasites in vertebrate hosts, especially in Thailand.

Material and Methods
This study used microscopic examination of blood samples and PCR amplification exploiting primers for nucleotide sequences of Plasmodium or Haemoproteus species based on the cytochrome b gene to determine the occurrence of Plasmodium spp. in fighting cocks.

Results
Examination of 249 blood samples of fighting cocks revealed that 41.37% (103/249) were positive for malaria by microscopic examination and 88.76% (221/249) were positive by DNA amplification. Sequencing and DNA analysis of 61 PCR products revealed that infection by Plasmodium juxtanucleare was the most common avian malaria in fighting cocks in Thailand followed by infections by Plasmodium gallinaceum; however, Haemoproteus infection was not discovered.

Conclusion
This study indicated that plasmodiasis is widespread in fighting cocks in Thailand although the prevalence was not clearly determined; therefore, prevention and control strategies for these protozoa should be improved, especially those for avoiding vector exposure and eliminating mosquito breeding sites.

High prevalence of <italic>Plasmodium</italic> infection in fighting cocks in Thailand determined with a molecular method

Journal of Veterinary Research

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

High prevalence of  infection in fighting cocks in Thailand determined with a molecular method

Introduction
Avian malaria caused by Plasmodium and the malaria-like parasites of the genus Haemoproteus has been regularly described in multiple regions...

High prevalence of Plasmodium infection in fighting cocks in Thailand determined with a molecular method

Published Online: Sep 15, 2022

Page range: 373 - 379

Received: Apr 22, 2022

Accepted: Sep 02, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2022-0049

Keywords
avian malaria, fighting cock, molecular detection, Thailand

© 2022 K. Vaisusuk et al. published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

High prevalence of Plasmodium infection in fighting cocks in Thailand determined with a molecular method

Published Online: Sep 15, 2022

Page range: 373 - 379

Received: Apr 22, 2022

Accepted: Sep 02, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2022-0049

Keywordsavian malaria, fighting cock, molecular detection, Thailand

© 2022 K. Vaisusuk et al. published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
avian malaria, fighting cock, molecular detection, Thailand