Prevalence and Diversity of Blood Parasites (Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon and Trypanosoma) in Backyard Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) Raised in Southern Thailand

Chickens can be infected by several avian blood parasites (Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, Trypanosoma and microfilaria) that can cause a big impact on poultry production. However, some of them are known to cause a high impact on poultry production (Plasmodium and Leucocytozoon), while others still require further investigation. Raising backyard chickens is a common practice in Thailand, and the low-biosecurity system in which they are kept favors the transmission of vector-borne diseases, which include several blood parasites. The spread of such infections can compromise production, resulting in economic impact. This study aimed to report the molecular prevalence, lineage diversity and morphology of blood parasites infecting backyard chickens in three different provinces in Thailand. We found a high prevalence of Plasmodium sp. and Leucocytozoon sp. infections, while Trypanosoma and microfilaria had a lower prevalence. Plasmodium gallinaceum and Leucocytozoon macleani were present in the studied individuals as well as Trypanosoma, which resembles T. calmettei. The buffy-coat method and molecular analysis were shown to be valuable diagnostic tools for blood parasites in chickens. These results can be used to promote awareness of parasite infections in the study area. Avian malaria and leucocytozoonosis can cause fatal diseases, whereas avian trypanosomiasis is reported to be harmless in chickens. Backyard chickens can be infected by several pathogens, including blood parasites, that may shed to industrial poultry production, with a consequently higher economic impact. This study aimed to investigate the presence of several blood parasites (Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon and Trypanosoma) in backyard chickens raised in Southern Thailand, using PCR-based detection and microscopic methods. From June 2021 to June 2022, 57 backyard chickens were sampled. Fresh thin blood smears were prepared from 11 individuals, and buffy coat smears were prepared from 55 of them. Both thin blood smears and buffy coat smears were used for microscopic analysis. Two nested PCR protocols that amplify a fragment of cytochrome b (cytb) and small subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA) genes were used to identify Haemosporida and Trypanosoma parasites, respectively. The number of positive samples was higher with the application of nested PCR than when buffy coat smears were used. Three new Plasmodium lineages (GALLUS47-49) and thirteen Leucocytozoon lineages (GALLUS50-62) were found. Trophozoites, meronts and gametocytes of Plasmodium gallinaceum (GALLUS01) were present in one thin blood smear. All thin blood smears revealed Leucocytozoon infections, but only three samples were a single infection. These three samples revealed the presence of fusiform host cell-parasite complexes, of which the morphological features resembled those of Leucocytozoon macleani (possible synonym is Leucocytozoon sabrazesi), while the cytb showed that this parasite is closely related to the lineage GALLUS06-07, described as Leucocytozoon schouteni. The Trypanosoma prevalence was 33.33%; it was present in only one of the thin blood smears, and it resembles Trypanosoma calmettei. This study showed the prevalence of a high diversity of Plasmodium (64.91%) and Leucocytozoon (89.47%) in Thai chickens. Both nested-PCR and buffy coat smear can be used as the diagnostic tool for the testing of Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon and Trypanosoma for parasitic control in backyard chickens and poultry farms. The information on the parasite species that can be found in chickens raised in Southern Thailand was also considered as the baseline information for further study.

Automated summary

This study investigated the presence of multiple blood parasites in backyard chickens in Southern Thailand and found a high prevalence of Plasmodium and Leucocytozoon infections. The diversity and morphology of the parasites were identified using PCR-based detection and microscopic methods. The results showed that nested PCR and buffy coat smears can be used as valuable diagnostic tools, and the findings contribute to the understanding of parasite infections in the study area.