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

Background and Aim: Brugia malayiis 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 Mansoniaspp. 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. malayiwas identified microscopically and based on the polymerase chain reaction method in female Mansoniamosquitoes.

Results:A total of 12 mosquito species were found, among which Mansonia uniformiswas 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. malayiwere not identified in the mosquitoes, and the microfilariae of B. malayiwere not found in the blood samples of inhabitants and cats.

Conclusion:Although Mansoniamosquito 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. malayiin the location.