Mitochondrial genomes of individual microfilariae: Undescribed Dirofilaria-like filariae from Malaysian cats and two filaria species related to Dirofilaria and Mansonella from Indonesian macaques

Abstract

Three molecularly undescribed filarial species were co-detected, while screening animals for Brugia malayi, the agent of lymphatic filariasis. Single microfilariae (Mf) isolated from blood samples of crab-eating macaques (Macaca fascicularis) from Belitung, Indonesia, and from pet dogs and cats in Sabah, Malaysia, were analyzed. Among 163 macaques, 33 (20.2%) were positive for large Mf (mean length 498.9 {micro}m) similar to Dirofilaria ( Belitung I). One macaque was infected with small Mf (mean length 150.4 {micro}m) ( Belitung II), with a high density of 17,150 Mf/mL. In two cats co-infected with B. malayi, Mf of a Dirofilaria species ( Sabah) with an average length of 299.1 {micro}m were detected. Morphometric analysis of Mf showed distinct differences between these three species and other Mf described in the area. Whole genome amplification and genome sequencing of 24 individual Mf enabled phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial genomes, and analysis of specific mitochondrial and nuclear barcode regions. The three Mf groups formed distinct clusters and did not match any currently available reference sequence. Cluster Belitung I from macaques formed a sister group to all other Dirofilaria. Cluster Belitung II included bird filariae and primate filariae of the genus Mansonella as close relatives. The cluster Sabah formed a monophyletic group with the zoonotic species D. asiatica and Dirofilaria sp. Thailand. DNA of Wolbachia endobacteria was detected in Mf of Belitung I and Sabah, but not in Belitung II. These findings highlight the limited understanding of filarial diversity in macaques and cats in Asia and underscore the need for a more comprehensive approach that combines morphological and molecular data to identify and assess the pathogenicity and zoonotic potential of these parasites. Author summaryFilarial worms are parasitic nematodes that infect humans and animals and are often transmitted by the same vector mosquito. We identified three molecularly undescribed filarial species while investigating animals as reservoirs for the agent of lymphatic filariasis, Brugia malayi on Belitung Island, Indonesia, and in Sabah, Malaysia. Blood samples were collected from Indonesian macaques and Malaysian pet cats. Out of 163 macaques, 20.2% tested positive for exceptionally large microfilariae (Mf) of an unclassified Dirofilaria-like species (Belitung I). Another filarial species ( Belitung II) with very small Mf, but with a remarkably high density of 17,150 Mf/mL was detected in one macaque. Two cats harbored medium sized Mf of a Dirofilaria species (Sabah). Genetic analysis revealed unique phylogenetic clusters that did not match any reference sequence. Dirofilaria sp. Sabah was closely related to the zoonotic D. asiatica complex, whereas Belitung I clustered as a sister group to Dirofilaria. Belitung II Mf clustered next to but not within the Mansonella spp. cluster. DNA of Wolbachia endobacteria was only detected in Mf of Belitung I and Sabah. These findings highlight the limited understanding of filarial diversity in animals and underscore the need for a comprehensive approach that combines morphological and molecular data to identify and assess the pathogenicity and zoonotic potential of these parasites.