Zoonotic pathogens survey in free-living long-tailed macaques in Thailand

Abstract

Long-tailed macaques (<i>Macaca fascicularis</i>) are known to harbour a variety of infectious pathogens, including zoonotic species. Long-tailed macaques and humans coexist in Thailand, which creates potential for interspecies pathogen transmission. This study was conducted to assess the presence of B virus, <i>Mycobacterium</i> spp., simian foamy virus (SFV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and <i>Plasmodium</i> spp. in 649 free-living Thai long-tailed macaques through polymerase-chain reaction. DNA of SFV (56.5%), HBV (0.3%), and <i>Plasmodium</i> spp. (2.2%) was detected in these macaques, whereas DNA of B virus and <i>Mycobacterium</i> spp. was absent. SFV infection in long-tailed macaques is broadly distributed in Thailand and is correlated with age. The HBV sequences in this study were similar to HBV sequences from orangutans. <i>Plasmodium</i> spp. DNA was identified as <i>P. inui</i>. Collectively, our results indicate that macaques can carry zoonotic pathogens, which have a public health impact. Surveillance and awareness of pathogen transmission between monkeys and humans are important.