ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: Escherichia coli strains producing Shiga toxins (stx1, stx2) are important zoonotic pathogens. Wild rats, common in urban environments with poor sanitation, may act as reservoirs and contribute to environmental contamination. This study aimed to detect Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) in wild rats captured from slum-adjacent urban areas of Banyuwangi District, Indonesia.
Materials and Methods: From August to October 2024, a total of 100 wild rats (32% Rattus norvegicus, 68% Rattus tanezumi) were trapped in Kampung Mandar and Lateng Villages. Rectal swabs were collected and cultured on eosin methylene blue agar, followed by biochemical and sugar fermentation tests for preliminary identification. Molecular confirmation of E. coli was performed using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting cydA and lacY. Confirmed isolates were further screened for stx1 and stx2 genes. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square tests.
Results: PCR confirmed E. coli in 57% (57/100) of rats. Among these, 47.36% (27/57) carried the stx1 gene, 7.01% (4/57) carried the stx2 gene, and 3.51% (2/57) harbored both genes. The prevalence of E. coli was significantly higher in R. tanezumi than in R. norvegicus (p = 0.000), but toxin gene distribution showed no significant differences across species, sex, or locations.
Conclusion: This study provides the first molecular evidence of wild rats in Banyuwangi carrying E. coli strains harboring stx1 and stx2 genes. The findings highlight the role of urban rodents as reservoirs of zoonotic STEC and underline the need for routine monitoring, improved waste management, and integrated One Health strategies to mitigate zoonotic transmission risks in high-density urban environments.
Keywords: Banyuwangi, Escherichia coli, infectious disease, one health, public health, Shiga toxin, wild rats, zoonosis.