Background and Aim: Cryptosporidium parvum and Hymenolepis nana are intestinal parasites that are commonly found in the unclean environment. Their presence in rats promotes the transmission of the cryptosporidiosis and hymenolepiasis to humans or animals nearby. This study aimed to determine the molecular characteristics of C. parvum and H. nana and their distribution in rats on Lombok Island.
Materials and Methods: Cryptosporidium parvum and Hymenolepis nana were investigated in 50 rats from Lombok Island. The molecular-parasitological technique used was PCR and sequencing method.
Results: From 50 samples of ratsÂ’ stool from 10 locations on Lombok Island, 8% (4/50) of C. parvum was detected molecularly with an 18S rRNA gene and 2% (1/50) of H. nana with COX 1 gene. Phylogenetic analysis indicated C. parvum carrying rats on Lombok Island have a genetic relationship with C. parvum with Obi7 isolates, Japan and H. nana has a genetic relationship with Rodentolepis nana identified with Hn-VT isolates, India.
Conclusions: The highest incidence of parasites was found in rats that were caught in the urban areas of Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Immediately, Public Health programs in these types of contaminated areas should receive priority attention to prevent further transmission of the parasites from animals to human beings.
Key words: Intestinal Parasite, Cryptosporidium, Hymenolepis, Rattus
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