Tissue cysts and serological detection toxoplasmosis among wild rats from Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia.

Background: The protozoan Toxoplasma gondii is the source of zoonosis toxoplasmosis and causes public health problems throughout the world. Environmental contamination by oocysts excreted by cats as definitive hosts affects the spread of this disease. Wild rats as rodents can be used as an indicator of environmental contamination by oocysts, considering that rats have a habit of living in dirty environments and can be infected by oocysts from the environment. Aim: This study aims to detect toxoplasmosis from tissue cysts and serological tests in wild rats as an indicator of environmental contamination in Surabaya. Methods: A total of 100 wild rats collected from Surabaya were collected in five areas (West, East, Central, North, and South of Surabaya) obtained from three trapping locations: housing, dense settlements, and markets. All samples were examined microscopically for parasitological tests through the brain tissue samples, and the serum was examined using the toxoplasma modified agglutination test to detect the presence of IgG and Immunoglobulin M (IgM). Results: This research used 100 wild rat samples, 77 Rattus tanezumi and 33 Rattus norvegicus, with evidence of 31% in serology and active infection with 19% tissue cyst. The results showed that the seroprevalence of T. gondii in wild rats was 31% (30% for IgG and 1% for IgM). Tissue cysts in the rat brain samples tested were 19% (19/100). The IgG prevalence rate in female rats was 25% (8/32), while for males, it was 32.3% (22/68). The highest seropositive IgG from densely populated settlements was 50%, markets were 25.8%, and housing was 12.1%. The highest seropositive IgM from densely populated settlements was 2.8%. Population density and the presence of cats are factors supporting the high seropositive rate at the trapping location. Conclusion: This study revealed that there has been toxoplasmosis contamination in Surabaya with evidence of 31% in serology and active infection with 19% tissue cyst. It is necessary for controlling with surveillance in cats to prevent transmission in humans.

Comparison of ITS-1 and TBR-1/2 primer sensitivity for the detection of Trypanosoma evansi local isolates in experimental rats using a polymerase chain reaction.

Background and Aim: Surra is caused by Trypanosoma evansi. The detection method using conventional parasitological tests has not always shown positive results in blood parasite detection, although the livestock has presented with clinical signs. Therefore, a fast and accurate diagnosis is necessary to prevent the disease predominately in field isolates. This study aimed to investigate the sensitivity of molecular detection method using two different specific primers, namely, Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 (ITS-1) and Trypanosoma brucei repeat 1/2 (TBR-1/2) against T. evansi field isolates from Banten Province, Indonesia. Materials and Methods: The isolates of T. evansi used in this study were collected from Banten Province and cultured and preserved by the National Research Center for Veterinary Science, Indonesia. Eighteen experimental rats were divided into three equal groups, which were categorized as control, 1 × 101, and 1 × 104 infective doses. The isolates were injected into all experimental albino rats intraperitoneally. All samples were tested using conventional blood smear, card agglutination test (CATT), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Results: The results of the CATT examination in all treatments showed negative results. However, PCR results showed that two different primers, namely, ITS-1 and TBR-1/2 had been successfully detected T. evansi from infected experimental rats, proven by positive PCR band appeared in 480 base pairs (bp) and 164 bp, respectively. Conclusion: Based on the molecular diagnostic test using PCR method, TBR-1/2 primer is more sensitive to detect T. evansi compared to ITS-1 primer. The present finding provides preliminary data for studying the efficiency of different primers if practically applied as a standard diagnostic test for trypanosomiasis, especially in Indonesian livestock.

Coproparasitological examinations and molecular determination of Eimeria species in Madura cattle reared on Madura Island, Indonesia.

Madura cattle, which are native to Indonesia and mainly kept on Madura Island, East Java, are expected to contribute to improving the regional meat self-sufficiency. Eimeria spp. are the most pathogenic protozoans among gastrointestinal parasites in livestock but no molecular surveys of Eimeria spp. in Madura cattle have been conducted to date. In this study, a total of 183 fecal samples were collected from Madura cattle and 60 (32.8%) were positive for parasites of protozoans and nematodes by the sugar floatation method. Among the samples with parasites, Eimeria spp. oocysts were detected in 50 samples (27.3%) with an average OPG value of 1686.1. Eimeria spp. were successfully identified to the species level in 26 samples with Eimeria bovis being the most prevalent, followed by E. zuernii and E. aubrunensis. A total of 21 samples showed mixed infection of more than two species of Eimeria. E. bovis and E. zuernii have been recognized as having high virulency and, thus, these parasites are potential sources of severe coccidiosis and the cause of infections in other cattle. Although additional studies are warranted, these results can be helpful for improving the management and productivity of Madura cattle.

Blastocystis spp. subtype 10 infected beef cattle in Kamal and Socah, Bangkalan, Madura, Indonesia.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Blastocystis spp. is a gastrointestinal parasite that can infect both humans and animals and has the potential to become a zoonotic parasite. This study analyzed a subtype (ST) of Blastocystis spp. that had infected beef cattle in Kamal and Socah, Bangkalan, Madura, Indonesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fresh stool samples were collected from 108 beef cattle at Kamal and Socah, Bangkalan, Madura, Indonesia. Blastocystis spp. were detected both morphologically and genetically based on the 18S rRNA gene. The morphology of Blastocystis spp. from the stool samples and cultured samples were observed under a light microscope. Blastocystis spp. from 20 positive cultures were amplified through polymerase chain reaction, and the resultant sequences were identified by ST. RESULTS: One hundred and eight (100%) fecal samples from the fresh or cultured stools were positive morphologically for Blastocystis spp. Molecularly, all 20 of the samples selected for DNA analysis were found to be Blastocystis spp. ST 10. CONCLUSION: Based on morphological and molecular detection, the prevalence of Blastocystis spp. infection in beef cattle within Kamal and Socah, Bangkalan, Madura, Indonesia, was high. About 100% were non-zoonotic parasites. This was the first report of Blastocystis spp. ST 10 found in infected beef cattle in Kamal and Socah, Bangkalan, Madura, Indonesia.

Prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal protozoa in Madura cattle at Bangkalan Regency, East Java, Indonesia.

AIM: This study aimed to describe the gastrointestinal protozoa in Madura cattle at Bangkalan Regency, East Java, Indonesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 500 samples of Madura cattle feces were collected from 10 districts at Bangkalan Regency. Those ten districts represent the lowland and upland areas, and each district was represented by one village. The collected feces were examined using native, sedimentation, and floating methods. The species identification was determined by their morphology. RESULTS: There were 357 (71.4%) samples positively infected with protozoan. The highest rate of sample with protozoan infection was at Kamal District (88.23%), and Bangkalan District (52.83%) was the lowest one. There were six species of protozoa that infected gastrointestinal tract; those are Eimeria spp., Balantidium spp., Isospora spp., Blastocystis spp., Entamoeba spp., and Cryptosporidium spp. The highest number of protozoa found in this research was Eimeria (53.42%) followed by Blastocystis (14.43%). In this study, we found that 295 samples (58.76%) infected by one kind of protozoa, 53 samples (10.56%) infected by two kinds of protozoa, and 11 samples (2.19%) infected by three kinds of protozoa. In addition, there were 65.54% of bulls infected with protozoa, considerably lower than cows (72.97%). Cattle aged 6 months-2 years old (73.39%) and >2 years old (71.25%) are known more prone to protozoan infections than cattle aged <6 months (66.15%). CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that protozoan infection of cattle is common in Bangkalan Regency. Studies focused on determining that the prevalence of protozoan, risk factors for the parasitism, and the geographic distribution are needed and will be effective guide for prevention and control measures.

EVALUATION OF THE ANTIGENICITY AND IMMUNOGENICITY OF Eimeria tenella BY REPRODUCTIVE INDEX AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL CHANGES OF CECAL COCCIDIOSIS VIRULENT LIVE VACCINE IN BROILER CHICKENS.

BACKGROUND: The development of vaccine to control coccidiosis caused by Eimeria tenella (E. tenella) in chickens is intensifying because of the increasing threat of drug resistance to anticoccidial agents. It is important, therefore, to develop a reliable standard method for the assessment of vaccine afficacy particularly antigenicity and immunogenicity become crucial. Evaluation of E. tenella antigenicity and immunogenicity to some low doses can be reflected by reproductive index and histopathological changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The complete random design of research was used in this study. Sixty of two weeks old broilers were divided into four groups and each group composed 15 replications. The group 1 was chicken group without virulent E. tenella oocyst inoculation. The group 2, 3 and group 4 were chicken group inoculated with virulent E. tenella oocyst at doses of 1.0 x 102, 2.0 x 102, 3.0 x 102, respectively. Then all chicken groups were challenged with E. tenella oocyst at doses of 1.0 x 103. Observation of research that represented antigenicity and immunogenicity was clinical sign, reproductive index, histopathological changes. RESULTS: On virulent E. tenella inoculation step, some clinical signs such as appetite, weakness, and diarrhea were very slight on all chicken groups. While on challenge test step, there were no clinical signs of all chicken groups except the group 1. For the reproductive index of virulent E. tenella inoculation step, there were no significantly differences in all chicken groups except the group 1. As reproductive index, the same result pattern was seen for histopathological changes. CONCLUSION: The low number virulent E. tenella had low reproductive index and few histopathological changes effect that represents a promising strategy to prevent cecal coccidiosis in chickens.

The phylogenetics of Leucocytozoon caulleryi infecting broiler chickens in endemic areas in Indonesia.

AIM: The objective of this research was to determine the species and strains of Leucocytozoon caulleryi and study the phylogenetics of L. caulleryi of broiler chickens in endemic areas in Indonesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood samples were collected from broiler chickens originated from endemic area in Indonesia, i.e., Pasuruan, Lamongan, Blitar, Lumajang, Boyolali, Purwokerto, and Banjarmasin in 2017. Collected blood was used for microscopic examination, sequencing using BLAST method to identify the nucleotide structure of cytochrome b (cyt b) gene that determines the species, and the phylogenetics analysis of L. caulleryi that infected broiler chickens in endemic areas in Indonesia, using Mega 5 software. RESULTS: The results showed that Plasmodium sp. and L. caulleryi were infected broiler chickens in endemic areas in Indonesia. L. caulleryi in one area had very close phylogenetic relations with those in other areas. The genetic distance between L. caulleryi taxa from various endemic areas is very close (<5%). CONCLUSION: There is a very close phylogenetics among strains of L. caulleryi that infected broiler chickens in various endemic areas in Indonesia.