Fakultas

Research Activity

The work program focuses on four main pillars:

  1. Annual Priority Research, with the aim of producing primary data and scientific publications
  2. Diagnostic Technology Development, with the aim of improving the accuracy and speed of protozoan infection diagnosis. Activities include the validation and optimization of immunoassay- or molecular-based diagnostic tests, the development of multiplex PCR for intestinal protozoa, and their translation into services at the FKUI parasitology laboratory.
  3. Education and Training, with the aim of increasing human resource capacity and integrating research into education. Activities include workshops on microscopy and PCR techniques for laboratory technicians or students, and/or the creation of case-based learning modules on clinical protozoology.
  4. Collaboration and dissemination, with the aim of expanding networks and the impact of research. For example, by conducting joint research with foreign institutions (ASEAN, Europe), participating in national and international seminars on tropical protozoa, and community service (malaria and amebiasis education).

Output Targets and Activity Plans for the Next 5 Years

Research Topics

Toxoplasma gondii

Investigating the virulence of Toxoplasma strains/types in clinical samples, populations, and definitive hosts (cats)

  1. Distribution of Toxoplasma gondii strains/types from definitive hosts and their impact on human health
  2. Distribution of Toxoplasma gondii strains/types from the cerebrospinal fluid of HIV/AIDS patients using the SAG2 and GRA6 gene targets

Entamoeba sp.

Investigating Entamoeba sp. in clinical samples and pediatric populations

  1. Distribution of Entamoeba histolytica in stunted children, pathogenicity, and its relationship with stunting
  2. Distribution of Entamoeba histolytica in clinical samples is associated with clinical symptoms

Blastocystis hominis

Investigating Blastocystis hominis subtypes in children with enterocolitis and analyzing their pathogenicity

  1. Distribution of Blastocystis hominis subtypes in children with enterocolitis and analysis of their pathogenicity

Comparing Blastocystis hominis subtypes in expatriate populations and Indonesian populations to assess pathogenicity

  1. Comparison of Blastocystis hominis subtypes and pathogenicity in expatriate and Indonesian populations

Investigating the gut microbiota population in patients with Blastocystis hominis infection and its relationship with dysbiosis in the gastrointestinal tract

  1. Differences in gut microbiota populations in patients with Blastocystis hominis infection and their relationship to dysbiosis in the gastrointestinal tract (in writing)

Free-living Amoeba

Investigating free-living amoeba in clinical and environmental samples

  1. First report: Acanthamoeba sp in joint fluid (in writing)
  2. Acanthamoeba sp in brain fluid
  3. Distribution of free-living amoeba (Negleria fowleri, Acantamoeba sp, and Balamuthia sp) in environmental samples

Giardia and Cryptosporidium

Investigating Cryptosporydium species and Giardia subtypes in samples from children with stunting and clinical samples

  1. Distribution of Giardia intestinalis subtypes in samples from children with stunting
  2. Distribution of Cryptosporidium species and genotypes in samples from immunocompromised patients
  3. Distribution of Cryptosporidium species and genotypes in samples from children with stunting

Plasmodium sp

Developing molecular techniques for the diagnosis of asymptomatic malaria

  1. Malaria prevalence in several low-endemicity areas
  2. Sensitivity and specificity of PCR molecular techniques with LAMP for detecting malaria parasites

Investigating HRP2/3 deletion mutations in falciparum malaria patients

  1. HRP2/3 deletion mutation in falciparum malaria patients in several malaria endemic areas in Indonesia

Dientamoeba fragilis

Development of molecular diagnosis of Dientamoeba fragilis infection in clinical samples and children with pinworms

  1. Incidence of Dientamoeba fragilis infection in children with pinworm infestation
  2. Relationship between pinworm infestation and incidence of Dientamoeba fragilis infection

Investigating Dientamoeba fragilis in clinical samples with IBD/IBS

  1. Analyzing the pathogenicity of Dientamoeba fragilis in patients with IBD/IBS