The Potential of Rats and Bats as Reservoirs of Leptospirosis and Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Muna Region, Southeast Sulawesi Province, Indonesia

BACKGROUND: Small mammals such as rats and bats are important animal reservoirs of various zoonotic diseases of public health importance. The potential of rats and bats as a reservoir of leptospirosis and Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Muna Regency remains unknown. This study aimed to determine the presence of Leptospira spp and JE virus (JEV) in rats and bats in Muna Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in three districts, namely Kabawo, Batalaiworu, and Katobu. Bats and rats were caught in six ecosystems spread across the three districts. Serological (Microscopic Agglutination Test, MAT) and molecular examinations (Polymerase Chain Reactions, PCR) were performed to detect Leptospira spp. and JEV in rats and bats, respectively.

RESULTS: A total of 137 rats from seven species were successfully caught, namely Mus sp., Rattus argentiventer, R. nitidus, R. exulans, R. hoffmanni, R. norvegicus, and R. tanezumi. Of which, six species were confirmed positive for Leptospira spp by PCR, with the highest prevalence was found in R. argentiventer (50%) and R. tanezumi (36.4%). Meanwhile, a total of 86 bats were also successfully captured. The JEV antibody was detected in D. viridis, R. celebensis and S. wallacei.

CONCLUSION: Rats and bats are the potential reservoirs of leptospirosis and JE in Muna Regency. Most importantly, the study provides the first evidence of JE reservoirs (R. celebensis and S. wallacei) in Sulawesi. Surveillance of leptospirosis and JE are recommended.