Molecular detection of toxoplasmosis in wild rats using loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay.

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Toxoplasmosis is caused by the parasite . Cats are the only known hosts that excrete resistant oocysts. Wild rats serve as crucial reservoirs and intermediate hosts for survival and dissemination. Consuming soil and water containing oocysts can lead to illness. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in wild rats through molecular detection as an indicator of environmental contamination in Surabaya.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred rats were collected from the three areas (housing, dense settlements, and traditional markets) and distributed into the five zones: West, East, Central, North, and South of Surabaya. Brain tissue samples were extracted using a Geneaid™ (New Taipei City, Taiwan) DNA isolation kit and analyzed through the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method.

RESULTS

The study analyzed brain tissue from 100 wild rats, consisting of 77 and 33 , displaying 30% LAMP positivity. The study revealed that 30% (30/100) of wild rats tested were infected with . The molecular prevalence rate in male rats was 32.35% (22/68), compared to females with 25% (8/32). 41.9% of the housing population, 33.3% of traditional markets, and 22.6% of dense settlements had the highest molecular prevalence. The high positive molecular rate at the trapping site can be attributed to cats and dense populations.

CONCLUSION

Thirty percentage wild rats were tested positive for toxoplasmosis in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia using LAMP method. Implementing strict control and monitoring is crucial in preventing the transmission of diseases from wild rats to humans. It is necessary to carry out further research related to genetic analysis of to determine the type of that infects animals and humans in Surabaya through bioassay and molecular test.