Authors

S Sungpradit¹; T Rawangchue²; T Chamsai³; C Pabutta³; K Tonchiangsai³; N Tanpradit⁴; N Sangkachai³; P Aramsirirujiwet⁵; P Wongluechai³; P Sedwisai³;  ¹ Department of Pre-clinic and Applied Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Thailand;  ² Parasitology Unit, Center for Veterinary Diagnosis, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Thailand;  ³ Monitoring and Surveillance Center for Zoonotic Diseases in Wildlife and Exotic Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Thailand;  ⁴ Department of Clinical Sciences and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Thailand;  ⁵ Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand

Discussion

Limited information exists on the morphology and molecular identification of snake tapeworm parasites in Thailand. This study, conducted by the Center for Veterinary Diagnosis, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Thailand, analyzed five tapeworm samples from three python snake alimentary tracts preserved in 70% alcohol. The scolices and segments of the tapeworms underwent morphological characterisation using permanent slide preparation and scanning electron microscopy. Genomic DNA extracted from these samples was amplified and sequenced using four molecular markers: nuclear (18S rRNA) and mitochondrial (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA) genes. The tapeworms were identified as Bothridium pithonis (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidea), with the sequences showing 99%-100% similarity to the reference sequences of B. pithonis in the GenBank database. Phylogenetic analyses of nuclear and mitochondrial markers were conducted, and intra- and inter-species genetic distances were determined. The results revealed that all mitochondrial markers are suitable for genetic study of Bothridium in snakes.