Identification of Zoonotic Pathogens In Working Pig-Tailed Macaque (Macaca Nemestrina) In Kota Bharu & Bachok, Kelantan

Pig-tailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina) have been used traditionally for coconut plucking in Kelantan for centuries. The proximity and interaction between working pig-tailed macaque and human may potentially create a mixing vessel for pathogens and consequent transmission of zoonotic diseases between animals and people. However, there is a lack of information on the disease status of these macaques and the threat that they may pose to people in contact. The objective of this study was to identify potential zoonotic pathogens (viruses, bacteria and parasites) in working pig-tailed macaques in Kota Bharu & Bachok, Kelantan. Thirty pig-tailed macaques from Kota Bharu & Bachok districts in Kelantan were brought to Veterinary Clinic UMK for health examination. The macaques’ ages were between 2 to 6 years old and most of them were trained and used for plucking coconut. The animals were anaesthetized for the collection of blood, buccal, nasal, throat, and anal swabs, fresh faecal samples and hair plucks. For the detection of various RNA viruses, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was conducted using the buffy coat of blood in EDTA tubes. Meanwhile, the swabs were streaked on appropriate bacterial culture media and incubated at 37°C then proceeded with morphological and biochemical test. Examination for parasites entailed physical observation of the integument for ectoparasites, meanwhile faecal smear, simple floatation and sedimentation techniques were conducted to identify endoparasite eggs. For blood parasites, thin and thick blood smears were prepared, stained accordingly, and observed microscopically for presence of parasites. Based on the RT-PCR results, 17 samples were positive for influenza virus, four for Lyssa virus, and nine were positive for Retrovirus. Among the 30 sampled macaques, nine (30%) of the macaques had three main bacteria identified in their nasal swabs; Pasturella spp. (4/30), and Moraxella spp. or Neisseria spp. (5/30). A total of 11 (37%) macaques had four main bacteria identified from their anal swabs; Pasturella spp. (5/30), Streptobacillus spp. (1/30), and Neisseria spp. (5/30). On the other hand, 11 macaques were found to have Neisseria spp. in their throat swabs. Nine macaques had three main bacteria identified from buccal swabs; Stenotrophomonas spp./Acinetobacter spp. (2/30)and Neisseria spp. (7/30). Six taxa of helminth parasites were encountered from 11 faecal samples collected (52%): five species belonged to nematoda viz.; Anatrichosoma spp. (10%), Capillaridae spp. (5%), Strongyloides spp. (10%), Trichostrongylus sp. (24%) and Trichuris spp. (38%), while only one was a Paramphistomum spp. (14%). The present study provided information on the various pathogens infecting working pig-tailed macaques in Kota Bharu & Bachok, Kelantan. Some of the identified bacteria, viral and parasitic agents are zoonotic. The high prevalence of Trichuris spp. indicates that the pathogen may be among macaques and humans. Overall, it is imperative to determine the health status of these animals through public health surveillance at human-wildlife interfaces for the implementation of better preventive and control measures against zoonotic diseases. Furthermore, the information obtained is useful to create public awareness on potential zoonotic diseases
xvi and improvement in welfare of these animals from husbandry and management perspective.