94 Available online at www.ptat.thaigov.net Proc of the 3 rd ASEAN Congr of Trop Med and Parasitol. Parasites: a Hidden Threat to Global Health Prevalence of Echinostomatidae Metacercaria in Tutut Snails (Bellamya javanica) in Irrigated Rice Fields, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia Ambar Sulianti 1 , Tjahjono Djatie 2 , Tinni Rusmartini 3 1 Indonesia University of Education (UPI), 2 Jendral Achmad Yani University(UNJANI), 3 Padjadjaran University (UNPAD), Indonesia ABSTRACT B andung, a city in West Java Province, Indonesia, has some irrigated rice fields. In this city, some freshwater gastropods are consumed by people as a source of protein, and are also fed to ducks. Some snails are known hosts of trematode worms, one of which is Bellamya javanica, known locally as “tutut”. Research has shown that B. javanica has a role as a vector of echinostomiasis. This research aimed to study the prevalence of Echinostomatidae metacercariae in B. javanica in Bandung City. Freshwater gastropods were collected from three irrigated rice fields located in three districts of Bandung city, ie Bandung Utara, Bandung Selatan, and Bandung Tengah. They were taken from 9 plots in each irrigation rice field. Collection took place three times daily (morning: 07.00-10.00, daytime: 11.00-14.00, afternoon: 15.00-18.00). The data were analyzed using ANOVA. The results show that, of the 398 B. javanica found in the irrigated ricefields, 64.4% were infected with Echinostomatidae metacercariae. This study can be continued by studying trematode infections in humans and ducks in Bandung, so that it can become a reference for treatment strategy, to improve health status in Bandung, and increase cattle produce. Keywords: Echinostomatidae, Bellamya javanica, prevalence, Bandung, Indonesia Introduction Like many other Indonesian cities, Bandung, in West Java, has a tropical climate, heavy rainfall, and high humidity. These conditions prompt some citizens to use their land to farm rice for income. The prevalent rice paddies and irrigation areas in this city create extensive, fertile water habitats for snails. Some snails are known to be hosts for trematode worms; one is Bellamya javanica, known locally as “tutut”. B. javanica is known as a vector of echinostomiasis [1-4]. In Bandung, the existence of extensive flooded areas, rice paddy and irrigated areas with calm water, rice plants and other plants, serve as food for snails, ducks, birds and frogs which were some definitive hosts for trematodes, contributed to the trematode life cycle via B. javanica. Until recently, no study had researched the prevalence of the trematodes Echinostomatidae in B. javanica in Bandung rice paddies. This study aimed to identify the distribution of B. javanica in Bandung rice paddies and the prevalence of Echinostomatidae. Materials and methods The study subjects were B. javanica snails collected from 3 rice paddy areas in Bandung. Every B. javanica found was examined for Echinostomatidae and all specimens found were counted. The equipment used were a wire strainer, Proc ASEAN Congr Trop Med Parasitol. 2008;3:94-6.