Detection of Leptospira Bacteria in Rats in Ciomas Sub-district, Bogor District, West Jawa Using Real-Time PCR Method

Abstract

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by bacteria from the genus Leptospira. Leptospira bacteria can infect rats, dogs, cats, raccoons, cattle, horses, and other mammals. The main reservoir of leptospirosis in Indonesia is rats. Indonesia is a country with a high risk of developing leptospirosis, considering the occurrence of flooding and the presence of stagnant water, and poor drainage and sanitation conditions in several residential areas. This study aims to detect Leptospira spp. bacteria in kidney tissues of rats in the Ciomas Sub-district, Bogor District, West Java. This study was a descriptive-analytic study with a crosssectional design. Its survey was conducted in Batu City Village, Mekarjaya, and Parakan, Ciomas Sub-district. The rats caught were counted for density, identified the species, and taken kidney samples to be examined for the presence of Leptospira using the Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) method. The density of rats in this study, which was based on the success of catching rats in Parakan Village, was 26%, Mekarjaya 17.3%, and Kota Batu 15.3%. The total number of rats caught was 88. The rat species caught were Rattus tanezumi (54.5%), Bandicota indica (21.6%), Rattus norvegicus (20.5%) and Mus musculus (3.4%). The results of the PCR test found that 22 out of 88 rat samples were positive for Leptospira. All species caught were positive for Leptospira with the following percentages, Bandicota indica (50%), Rattus norvegicus (27.3%), Rattus tanezumi (18.2%), and Mus musculus (4.5%). Leptospira bacteria were successfully detected in rat kidneys using the RT-PCR method. The public can increase their awareness by keeping the environment clean in an effort to prevent leptospirosis transmission.