Detection of Trypanosoma lewisi DNA from Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus in Hanoi, Vietnam

• Published in: Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.) Vol. 22; no. 2; p. 159
• Main Authors: Nguyen, Le Khanh Hang, Koizumi, Nobuo, Ung, Thi Hong Trang, Le, Thi Thanh, Hirayama, Kazuhiro, Hasebe, Futoshi, Hoang, Vu Mai Phuong, Khong, Minh Tuan, Le, Thi Quynh Mai, Miura, Kozue
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.02.2022
• Subjects: Animals; DNA, Protozoan - genetics; Humans; Rats - parasitology; Rodent Diseases - epidemiology; Rodent Diseases - parasitology; Rodent Diseases - transmission; Siphonaptera - parasitology; Trypanosoma lewisi - genetics; Trypanosomiasis - epidemiology; Trypanosomiasis - parasitology; Trypanosomiasis - transmission; Trypanosomiasis - veterinary; Vietnam - epidemiology; Zoonoses; Vietnam; Vietnam; rat; zoonosis; Trypanosoma lewisi
• ISSN: 1557-7759
• DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2021.0043

is a worldwide nonpathogenic parasite that is exclusively found in rats. In general, infection in humans is an opportunistic infection from rats to humans through fleas. However, recently, infection with in humans, including a fatal case, has been reported. Notably, rats living close to a human settlement showed a higher prevalence of infection with than those living in other places. It is possible that the urbanization is associated with the prevalence of in rats and enhances the risk of transmission to humans through fleas. In this study, a total of 88 rats were captured from hospitals, markets, and a cargo station, of which 81 were identified as and 7 as in Hanoi, the urbanizing city of Vietnam. Of these, 55 rats (62.5%) harbored , of which 52 were and 3 were .