Fauna associated with Malayan filariasis transmission in Banyuasin, South Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract

Background and Aim: Brugia malayi is known to be zoonotically important because it can be transmitted from animals (mammals and primates) to humans or from humans to humans through mosquito vectors. This study was conducted to explore the fauna associated with Malayan filariasis transmission in Sedang village, Suak Tapeh District, Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra Province, Indonesia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional research design with an observational and analytical approach was applied in this study, and it was conducted in May 2018. Mosquitoes were collected twice using human bait both inside and outside the house from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. The presence of competitors, predators, and reservoir hosts in the areas of five breeding habitats of Mansonia spp. was observed. The presence of microfilaria was confirmed under a microscope in night blood samples of inhabitants and cats. The presence of infective larvae (L3) of B. malayi was identified microscopically and based on the polymerase chain reaction method in female Mansonia mosquitoes. Results: A total of 12 mosquito species were found, among which Mansonia uniformis was the dominant mosquito, and the predominant competitor was Mansonia annulifera. Dragonflies, as predators were found in two breeding habitats and fish were found in one breeding habitat. The L3 of B. malayi were not identified in the mosquitoes, and the microfilariae of B. malayi were not found in the blood samples of inhabitants and cats. Conclusion: Although Mansonia mosquito population was abundant in Banyuasin Regency, the mosquito was not confirmed as an intermediate host of B. malayi, and the cat was not confirmed as a reservoir of B. malayi in the location.