Open Access
Review (Published online: 14-04-2023)
12. Emergence of zoonotic Brugia pahangi parasite in Thailand
Adisak Bhumiratana, Prapa Nunthawarasilp, Apiradee Intarapuk, Suntorn Pimnon, and Wanapa Ritthison
Veterinary World, 16(4): 752-765

Adisak Bhumiratana: Thammasat University Research Unit in One Health and EcoHealth, Pathum Thani, Thailand; Faculty of Public Health, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani 12121, Thailand.
Prapa Nunthawarasilp: Faculty of Public Health, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand.
Apiradee Intarapuk: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mahanakorn University of Technology, Bangkok 10530, Thailand.
Suntorn Pimnon: Faculty of Public Health, Bangkokthonburi University, Bangkok 10170, Thailand.
Wanapa Ritthison: Office of Disease Prevention and Control, Region 6 Chonburi, Thailand.

doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.752-765

Article history: Received: 20-12-2022, Accepted: 09-03-2023, Published online: 14-04-2023

Corresponding authors: Adisak Bhumiratana

E-mail: adisak.b@fph.tu.ac.th

Citation: Bhumiratana A, Nunthawarasilp P, Intarapuk A, Pimnon S, and Ritthison W (2023) Emergence of zoonotic Brugia pahangi parasite in Thailand, Veterinary World, 16(4): 752-765.
Abstract

Zoonotic Brugia pahangi parasite infections in humans have emerged over two decades in Southeast Asia (SEA), including Malaysia and Thailand. The species is commonly found in domestic cats and dogs as the natural reservoir hosts. The sporadic transmission pattern of B. pahangi zoonosis causes childhood infections in Thailand and adulthood infections in Malaysia. It is crucial to understand the vulnerability in how zoonotic B. pahangi parasite is transmitted to susceptible persons in receptive settings and the exposure to the infection under impoverished environment to which the human-vector-animal interactions are related. This acquisition of knowledge will help multiple health science professions to apply One Health approach to strengthening the capacity in diagnosis and surveillance, and hence detecting and monitoring the “lingering” zoonotic B. pahangi infections present in vulnerable populations in Thailand and elsewhere in SEA. In this review article, the authors focused on articulating the concepts of plantation-related zoonotic B. pahangi filariasis by updating current knowledge of B. pahangi life cycle, vector’s life cycle and current state of research on the epidemiology and ecology of B. pahangi zoonosis.

Keywords: Brugia pahangi, plantation-related zoonotic Brugia pahangi filariasis, sporadic transmission pattern, zoonosis.