The discovery of human  Plasmodium among domestic animals in West Sumba and Fakfak, Indonesia

Abstract

<ns3:p> Background In Indonesia, malaria incidence is at a high rate despite maximum preventive efforts. Therefore, this study aims to determine the possibility of a <ns3:italic>Plasmodium</ns3:italic> reservoir among domestic animals in malaria-endemic areas. Methods Animal blood was collected using EDTA tubes, then smeared and stained with Giemsa for <ns3:italic>Plasmodium</ns3:italic> microscopic identification. About 10 μl of blood was dropped on to a filter paper to capture <ns3:italic>Plasmodium</ns3:italic> DNA. Nested PCR was used for parasite molecular detection, while <ns3:italic>Plasmodium</ns3:italic> species were identified using the sequenced DNA. Results A total of 208 and 62 animal blood samples were collected from Gaura village, West Sumba and Fakfak village, West Papua, Indonesia respectively. In total, 32 samples from Gaura contained <ns3:italic>P. falciparum</ns3:italic> or <ns3:italic>P. vivax</ns3:italic> , while the <ns3:italic>Plasmodium</ns3:italic> percentage in buffalo, horse, goat, and dogs were 20.7%, 14.3%, 5.8%, 16.7%, respectively. <ns3:italic>P. knowlesi</ns3:italic> was not found in any of the samples, and no other species were detected in 18 pig blood samples. Conclusion Human <ns3:italic>Plasmodium</ns3:italic> existence among domestic animals in Indonesia partly explains the high prevalence and persistence of malaria in some endemic areas due to a reservoir host presence. Therefore, future studies need to ascertain the cause. </ns3:p>

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