An Animal Parasitology researcher from Masaryk University in the Czech Republic, Professor Ivona Foitova, revealed that parasites found in orangutans can also be present in humans due to their close genetic relationship. In her research, Professor Foitova identified three main parasite species infecting orangutans: Pongobus hugot, Mammomonogamus laryngeus, and Balantidium coli. All of which have a high prevalence rate among orangutans.
“These three parasites cause serious health issues in orangutans, especially Balantidium coli, which has been recorded as a major cause of mortality in these primates,” said Professor Foitova during her public lecture titled Wildlife Parasites, held on Monday (Nov. 3) at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKH UGM).
She further highlighted her findings on how orangutans exhibit self-medication behavior to prevent parasitic infections.
“This behavior includes chewing unusual materials, swallowing specific leaves, and applying substances to their bodies. There is a correlation between reduced parasite levels and the consumption of certain plant species among orangutans,” the scholar explained.
According to Professor Foitova, the information from this research can be used to support efforts in introducing, conserving, and protecting orangutans.
“However, since orangutans share a similar genetic structure with humans, this information can also be beneficial for us,” she added.
The public lecture, organized by the Wildlife Study Group (KSSL) of FKH UGM, also featured veterinarians Aji Winarso from Universitas Nusa Cendana and Lintang Firdausy from UGM. The session discussed parasites found in Indonesia’s key conservation animals, including orangutans, elephants, and Komodo dragons.
Lintang Firdausy delivered a presentation on elephant species native to Sumatra and Kalimantan, emphasizing the crucial role of elephants in maintaining forest ecosystems. Firdausy explained that mining, illegal logging, and environmental degradation have increased the transmission of diseases between elephants, other animals, and humans.
She noted that Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV) is one of the most fatal infections affecting young elephants. In addition, elephants are also susceptible to other parasitic infections, including endoparasites, ectoparasites, and tuberculosis, often caused by close interaction with humans.
“Both parasitic infections and EEHV frequently affect elephants, and EEHV infection can be fatal within just 24 hours after onset,” the veterinarian stated.
In contrast to orangutans and elephants, data on diseases affecting Komodo dragons remain limited. Aji Winarso explained that there is a potential risk of disease transmission among humans, Komodo dragons, and their prey, such as deer.
His research identified several parasites found in Komodo fecal and blood samples, including tapeworms, ectoparasites, blood parasites, and myiasis, a condition involving maggot infestation in wounds.
“We discovered Hepatozoon within nucleated Komodo erythrocytes, as well as myiasis caused by injuries from fights among male Komodo dragons,” he explained.
Concluding his presentation, Winarso emphasized the importance of understanding the broader environment in which parasites thrive.
“Our focus should not only be on the parasites themselves but also on the surrounding environment where they live. Parasites are more often found in the environment than within the host body,” he concluded.
Author: Cyntia Noviana
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photographs: Jesi and orangutan.or.id