Abstract
Background and Aim: Anthrax is a non-contagious infectious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis. The bacteria form spores that are resistant to extreme conditions and can contaminate the environment for decades. This study aimed to detect and characterize B. anthracis found in endemic areas of anthrax in Yogyakarta and Central Java province, Indonesia. Materials and Methods: Soil samples were collected from Gunungkidul regency, Yogyakarta province (n=315) and Boyolali regency, Central Java province (n=100). Additional soil samples (n=10) and straw samples (n=5) were obtained from Pati regency, Central Java province. The isolation and identification of B. anthracis were performed using conventional methods: Morphology of bacteria colony in solid media, Gram staining, capsule staining, spores staining, and motility test. Isolates were further identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) against Ba813, lef (pXO1), and capC (pXO2) gene. An avirulent vaccine strain of B. anthracis (strain 34F2) was used as a control. Results: Only four samples grew on blood agar with a ground-glass appearance, white-gray colony (Gunungkidul and avirulent strain) or yellowish (Boyolali and Pati). All were Gram-positive, presented chains, square-ended rods, spores, and were then identified as B. anthracis. Boyolali, Pati, and avirulent strain isolates had slightly different characteristics, including the growth of non-mucoid in the bicarbonate agar medium, and their uncapsulated form. The PCR showed two Gunungkidul isolates which amplified three genes, including Ba813, lef, and capC. Contrarily, the other isolates did not amplify the capC gene. Conclusion: Gunungkidul isolates were identified as virulent strains of B. anthracis while Boyolali and Pati isolates were proposed as avirulent strains. This is the first report of isolation and identification of avirulent strains of B. anthracis in Central Java, Indonesia.
Highlights
Anthrax, a non-contagious infectious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, is classified as a neglected zoonotic disease by the World Health Organization (WHO) [1]
Gunungkidul isolates were identified as virulent strains of B. anthracis while Boyolali and Pati isolates were proposed as avirulent strains
This is the first report of isolation and identification of avirulent strains of B. anthracis in Central Java, Indonesia
Summary
A non-contagious infectious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, is classified as a neglected zoonotic disease by the World Health Organization (WHO) [1]. Anthrax mainly attacks both domestic and wild animals, mainly herbivores, and can cause death [2]. This comes with a loss to the farmers due to its high mortality rate, influencing the economic and several social factors. The deaths in humans are due to the “spillover” of anthrax cases in animals through cutaneous, gastrointestinal/oropharyngeal, and respiration forms. Anthrax is a non-contagious infectious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis. This study aimed to detect and characterize B. anthracis found in endemic areas of anthrax in Yogyakarta and Central Java province, Indonesia
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