The Presence Of Rat And House Sanitation Associated With Leptospira sp. Bacterial Infection In Rats (A Cross Sectional Study In Semarang, Central Java Province, Indonesia)

Abstract

The Gajah Mungkur sub-district in Semarang, Indonesia had highest leptospirosis cases (reported in human with seven infected and one dead) in 2015. The purpose of this study was to analyze the association between house sanitation and density of rats with Leptospira sp. infection in rats. The study design was cross sectional observational analytic. The number of 308 trapswere placed in study sites over three consecutive nights afterwards. Every houses were placed with four traps, inside and outside. Trapped rats were anesthetized with atropine dose from 0.02 to 0.05 mg/kg body weight of rats continued with Ketamine HCL dose of 50-100 mg/kg body weight of rats by injecting in the thick thigh muscle of it. After that, identification of rats by species and gender then continues with surgery in which a kidney sample was taken to confirm the presence of bacteria Leptospirasp using PCR techniques. The trap installed in 77 houses which later had further observation on house sanitation which includes the existence of a pile of used goods, food storage, garbage can, and the presence of the ceiling, windows and other ventilation.Data was analyzed using distribution frequency and bivariate chi-square test. We had 100 rats captured with live traps as the samples.The proportion of Rattusnorvegicuswas 27% (14.8% positive Leptospira sp.infection) and Rattustanezumi 73% (11%positive Leptospira sp.infection). The proportion of male and female rats were almost equal. The statistic test result was significant between the density of rats (p = 0.0001, OR 12.833, 95%CI: 1.565-105.261) and sex of rats (p = 0.019, OR 0.095, 95%CI: 0.012–0.769) with Leptospira sp. infection in rats. The number of rats may increase the infection of Leptospirasp., especially female rats and poor condition of house sanitation. It is recommended to improve house sanitation and regularly trapping rats.

Environmental Factors Related to Leptospirosis in Indonesia: A Systematic Review

“…Prevention of leptospira infection in humans can be done by reducing the rat population as pathogenic animals carrying leptospira bacteria. The reduction of the rat population is made by making permanent changes to the environment in which the mice breed [16]. Almost all research in this study found that there was a significant relationship between the incidence of leptospirosis with the presence of mice.…”

“…This transmission often occurs because there is a pool of water and soil that has been contaminated by animal urine containing leptospira [14,15]. Meanwhile, indirect transmission occurs due to contact between the skin that is not wounded with water contaminated with mouse urine in a time long time [16].…”

“…This is a potential risk for leptospirosis because rats are the main reservoir for leptospirosis. The presence of rats in the home environment must be an essential concern to avoid transmission of this disease [16]. Environmental conditions that do not meet health requirements are ideal places for rats to search for food and breed.…”

Infestation of Leptospira in Rodents at the Perimeter Area in “Pelabuhan Ratu” Port, Sukabumi District

“…Male rodents may exhibit aggressive behaviour. On the other hand, several previous studies reported that more female rodents were captured [27,28]. Female rodents are easier to catch because they enter and exit the nest frequently in search of food, whereas male rodents serve as nest guards [21].…”

Population of Rodent and Leptospirosis in Humans: Spatial Aspect of Epidemiology

“…Houses that have less lighting, ceilings that are not closed, and are without ventilation are perfect breeding grounds for rats. 17,21,22 Apart from the existence of rats as a reservoir and environmental conditions supporting their habitat, human behaviour can also increase the risk of infection with Leptospira bacteria. Not only behaviour in keeping the environment clean and not baiting rats to nest, the behaviour of wearing boots when it rains or floods, and washing feet after outside activities are behaviours that can reduce the risk of transmission of leptospirosis.…”