Research article
Brucella spp. Surveillance in Wild Long-Tailed Macaques (Macaca fascicularis) in Selangor, Malaysia
https://doi.org/10.47836/pjtas.49.4.18KeywordsBrucella spp., CFT, human-wildlife conflict, Macaca fascicularis, qPCR, RBPT
Article content
Abstract
Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease that is caused by the intracellular Gram-negative coccobacillus Brucella spp., which threatens public health and local socio-economics, with wild and captive non-human primates known to be susceptible to several Brucella biovars. In Malaysia, wild long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) frequently inhabit areas near human settlements, increasing human-wildlife conflict and potential disease spillover risk. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of anti-Brucella antibodies and the presence of Brucella antigens in wild long-tailed macaques from selected areas in Selangor, Malaysia. 100 fresh carcasses of the wild long-tailed macaques were retrieved from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks of Peninsular Malaysia (PERHILITAN), and pathological abnormalities were observed in several organs, including the reproductive, hepatosplenic, and lymphatic organs, during necropsy. Serum samples (n=100) were screened using the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT), and reactive samples were confirmed by the Complement Fixation Test (CFT). Reproductive tissues (ovaries, uteri, placentas, testes) were collected for DNA extraction and analysed by qPCR targeting Brucella spp. genes. RBPT screening showed 1% positivity (1/100, 95% CI: 0.37%-1.63%), but all sera tested negative by the confirmatory CFT. qPCR analysis of all 100 reproductive tissue samples yielded no amplification of the targeted Brucella gene, indicating a 0% antigen presence (0/100, 95% CI: 0-0.627%). Consequently, the overall prevalence of Brucella antibodies or antigens in wild long-tailed macaques in the study areas ranged from 0% to 1.67% (95% CI). These findings suggest that exposure to Brucella spp. and active infection range from very low to non-existent in these wild macaque populations. Nevertheless, continued surveillance is warranted given the zoonotic potential and the proximity of the wildlife population to human settlements.
