Historically, neurocysticercosis (NCC) caused by the larval stage, cysticercus or cysticerci, of the pork tapeworm Taenia solium was recognized in Paniai District, western Irian Jaya Province, Indonesia, in the early 1970s. In the 1990s, we observed a rapid increase in the number of cases of epileptic seizures and burns in Assologaima Sub-District, Jayawijaya District, eastern Irian Jaya. There were totals of 1120 new cases of burns and 293 new cases of epileptic seizures during 1991-95 in Assologaima where the number of inhabitants was 15,939. Histopathological examination of resected cysts from patients and a pig revealed that they were cysticerci of T. solium. DNA analysis of these cysts revealed that the nucleotide sequences of 391 base-pair fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene were exactly the same in those from patients and the pig. Although 3 of 391 base-pair fragments might differ from that of T. solium reported previously, there were no differences in the amino-acid sequences. Approximately 67% and 65% of persons with epileptic seizures and with subcutaneous nodules, respectively, showed antibody responses highly specific to cysticercosis. Therefore, most cases of epileptic seizures and burns were considered to be associated with cysticercosis in Irian Jaya.

Serology (ELISA and immunoblot) using native glycoproteins, affinity purified glycoproteins, and a recombinant antigen is known to be highly specific to Taenia solium cysticercosis in humans and pigs. These techniques were applied for dogs in the highly endemic area of cysticercosis in Papua (Irian Jaya), Indonesia. Analysis of dog sera by both ELISA and immunoblot revealed 7 of 64 dogs were highly positive. Examination of two sero-positive dogs revealed cysticerci of T. solium in the brain and heart of these dogs. Mitochondrial DNA analysis confirmed that they were the same as T. solium previously confirmed from pigs and biopsies from local people from Irian Jaya. It is suggested that the life cycle of T. solium may be completed not only between humans and pigs but also between humans and dogs.

No abstract

A preliminary study to detect human worm carriers of Taenia solium in Papua (Irian Jaya), Indonesia was carried out using stool examinations for the detection of copro-antigens and adult proglottids after chemotherapy, and confirmation by mitochondrial DNA analysis using expelled proglottids and metacestodes developed in NOD/Shi-scid mice from eggs of expelled proglottids. Approximately 8.6% of the local population in Kama (5/58), 1 km from the local capital city centre, Wamena, were confirmed to harbour adult T. solium using these techniques.

No abstract

Dilaporkan kasus seorang perempuan Bali, berumur 33 tahun, agama Hindu dengan nodul multipel sistiserkosis di bawah kulit dan otak. Ditemukan gejala kejang sejak remaja yang kemudian tidak diobati. Sejak tiga tahun sebelum dirawat di rumah sakit, penderita menemukan nodul multipel di dalam kulit, mulai pada dahi dan sejak setahun yang lalu juga di bagian lain dari kepala dan tubuh, seperti pada bahu, dada dan punggung. Ternyata sampel serum yang diperiksa dengan cara immunoblot positif terhadap antigen Taenia solium. Hasil tes kopro-antigen yang juga positif memberi petunjuk adanya cacing dewasa T. solium di usus. Penderita diterapi dengan prazikuantel terhadap infeksi dengan cacing dewasa dan kemudian dengan albendazol terhadap stadium larva, yang berupa kista. Tidak berhasil ditemukan cacing dewasa di dalam tinja 24 jam. Setelah tiga minggu jumlah kista yang teraba di dalam kulit sangat berkurang, demikian juga di dalam otak. Setelah setahun tes imunoblot masih positif.

House dust mites (HDM), anaeroallergen which may be found in all of part of the urban house including mattress. The objectives of this study were to find out the prevalence and risk factors of house dust mites in urban communities i.e.,Pamulang (Southern Tangerang) and Pasar Rebo (Nothern Jakarta). The study design was a cross-sectional study. The samples of house dusts were collected from house of respondents, living-room floors, bed-room floors, kitchen-room floors, terrace-room floors, ventilation, kapuk mattress, sofa, spring bed, foam mattress, and carpet. Mites were examined by a direct method. The species of HDM found were Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, D.farinae, and Glyciphagus destructor. The prevalence rate ofHDM was 66,9% (621/927). Statistically, no significant difference(p>0,05) was found between the prevalence of HDM in Pamulang(59,8% ,307/513) and Pasar Rebo (75,8%, 314/414). In Pamulang, 94.2% (49/52)of the respondent’s houses were HDM positive (+) and 63.6% (28/44) in Pasar Rebo. Mattresses and bed-room floors were risk factors for HDM(OR=1.99 95% CI 1.06-3.72 and OR=1.8 95% CI 1.10-2.90). This study showed that the houses in two urban communities hadrich HDM.

Ekstrak tumbuhan dapat digunakan sebagai biolarvasida untuk membunuh larva Aedes aegypti, di antaranya adalah ekstrak daun Ocimum sanctum. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah menganalisis efek ekstrak metanol daun O. sanctum pada larva Ae. aegypti dan perubahan pada midgut-nya. Penelitian ini menggunakan desain eksperimental. Ekstrak daun O. Sanctum dibuat dengan metode evaporasi dan dibuat pada konsentrasi 0,1%, 0,25%, 0,5%, 0,75%, dan 1%. Percobaan diulang sebanyak 4 kali pada setiap konsentrasi. Pengamatan jumlah larva mati dilakukan setelah 24 jam perlakuan. Berdasarkan hasil pengamatan histopatologi, terdapat kerusakan pada jaringan epitel midgut larva Ae. aegypti. Nilai LC50 ekstrak daun O. sanctum sebesar 0,66%, sedangkan nilai LC90 yang diperoleh sebesar 1,38%. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa untuk membunuh larva Ae. aegypti hingga 90% dari jumlah larva, dibutuhkan konsentrasi ekstrak lebih dari 1%.