Cockroaches as Vectors of Parasites of Medical Importance; Reports from Six states in Nigeria
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Cockroaches are not associated with diseases as noted with mosquitoes and fleas (by direct transmission); however, they harbour pathogens (typically those causing gastroenteritis) which are indiscriminately deposited on foods and equipment as the cockroaches comes in contact with them.
Methods: This report reveals an association of cockroaches with 13 bacteria species, 7 fungal species and 18 soil transmitted helminths all of which are medically important and have been implicated in many gastro-intestinal disorders. Entamoeba species, Balantidium coli, hookworm and Ascaris lumbricoides have been reported to cause chronic diarrhea, liver complications and stunted growth in the affected people. Pathogen were independently isolated from the alimentary canal and body surface of cockroaches collected from toilets, residential houses, hostels, kitchens, living rooms, wardrobes and health facilities at six different states in Nigeria.
Results: This affirms that cockroaches constitute a serious public health threat in Nigeria. This study emphasizes the need to raise awareness on safeguarding food sources from being contaminated by cockroaches, as it may lead to the mechanical transmission of parasite-related morbidities.
Conclusion: Proper personal hygiene and environmental sanitation is strongly recommended since cockroaches only thrive in filthy environments. Periodic fumigation of hospitals and hostels is also imperative to reduce risks of nosocomial infections.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Piper GL, Antonelli AL. Cockroaches: Identification, Biology and Control. Agricultural Research Center, Washington State University. http://www.pnw0186.html. Retrieved on the 25th of May, 2012.
Comwell PB, The Cockroach: A Laboratory Insect and an Industrial Pest, Hutchison and Co. Publishers Ltd. London. 1968; 1: 391.
Cameron E. The Cockroach, Periplaneta americana linnaeus. Heinemann. London. 1961; 1-10.
Ragge DR. Grasshoppers. Crickets and Cockroaches of the British Isle. Frederick Warne and Co Ltd, London. 1965; 299.
Bell WJ, Adiyodi KG. The American Cockroach, Chapman and Hall London and New York. 1982; 343-370
Rust MK, Reierson DA, Slater AJ. Cockroaches Management Guidelines. University of California publications. 1999; 1-11.
Allen BW. Excretion of viable Tubercle Bacilli by Blatta orientalis following ingestion of heat – fixed sputum smear: A laboratory investigation, Medicine and Hygiene. 1987; 81, 98-99.
Bala AY, Sule H. Vectorial Potential of Cockroaches in Transmitting Parasites of Medical Importance in Arkilla, Sokoto, Nigeria. Nig. J. Basic and Applied Sc. 2012; 20(2): 111-115.
Bradman A, Chevrier J, Tager I, Lipsett, M, Weldon K. Association of Housing Disrepair Indicators with Cockroach and Rodent Infestation in a Cohort of Pregnant Latino Women and their Children. Environ. Health. Perspect, 2005, 1:11, 21-29.
Wang CA, El- Nour MM, Bennett GW. Survey of Pest Infestation, Asthma and Allergy in low income housing. Journal of Community Health. 2008; 33(1); 31-39.
Bamigboye A.P. Rat Infestation in a Typical Nigerian University Halls of Residence: Implications for Hygiene and Sanitation. Research Journal of Agriculture and Biological Science. 2006; 2(6): 328-331.
Manyanhaire IO, Munasirei D, Nhundu T. A preliminary appraisal of a waste dumpsite in Zimbabwe: A case of mutare dumpsite in Manicaland Province. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa. 2009; 11:1.
Fotedar R, Shriniwas UB, Verma A. Cockroaches (Blattella germanica) as carriers of microorganisms of medical importance in hospitals. Epidemiology and Infection. 1991; 107:181-187.
El-Sherbini GT. The role of cockroaches and flies in mechanical transmission of medically important parasites in Khaldyia Village, El-Fayoum, Governorale, Egypt. 2010
Federal Government of Nigeria. The Federal Republic of Nigeria National Environmental Sanitation Policy. Developed by the Federal Ministry of Environment, Abuja. 2005; 55.
Mbanugo JI, Abazie DC. A Comparative Study of Intestinal Parasite Infections of Pregnant and Non-pregnant Women in Nkpor, Anambra State. Nigerian Journal of Parasitology. 2002; 19-26.
Montressor A, Crompton DW, Gyorkos TW, Savioli L. Helminth control in school age children. A guide for managers of control programmes. World Health Organization, Geneva. 2002; 64.
Sam-Wobo SO, Oyeyemi OA, Idowu OA, Afolarin A, Assessment of health knowledge and risk factors associated with intestinal helminthes in tertiary schools in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Parasitology. 2006; 27: 76-80.
Tatfeg YM, Usuanle A, Orukpe, Digban AK, Okodua A, Oviasogie F, Turray AA. Mechanical transmission of pathogenic organisms: The Role of Cockroaches. Journal of Vector Borne Diseases. 2005; 42: 129-134.
Anosike JC, Zaccheaus VO, Adeiyongo CM, Abanobi OC, Dada EO, Oku EE, Keke IR, Uwaezuoke JC, Amajuoyi OU, Obiukwu CE, Nwosu DC, Ogbusu FI. Studies on the Intestinal Worm (Helminthiasis) Infection in a Central Nigerian Rural Community. JASEM. 2006; 10:2, 61-66.
WHO. First Inter-Ministerial Conference on Health and conference in Africa: Health security through Health environment. IMCHE/1/. 2008; pp. 8.
Salehzadeh A, Tavacol P, Majhub H. Bacteria, fungi and Parasitic contaminants of cockroaches in Public Hospitals of Hamedah, Iran, Jou of Vect Bor Dis. 44: 105-110.
Baird JK, Mistrey M, Pimsler M, Connor DH. Fatal human ascariasis following secondary massive infection. American J of Trop Med and Hygi. 1996; 35(2):314–318.
Sam-Wobo SO, Mafiana CF. The effects of surface soil physio-chemical properties on the prevalence of helminths in Ogun State, Nigeria. Uni of Zambia Jour of Sc and Tech. 2005; 9(2): 13-20.
Sia GL, Su GL, Carillo N, Pera D, Simaco S, Tanalgo B, Lilibeth M, Sia-Su L, Mistika M. Parasitic Infestation in Cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) Obtained in Selected Areas of Metro Manila, Int. Jour of Trop Dis. 2016; 13(4):1-4
Malik K, Jamil A, Arshad. Study of pathogenic microorganisms in the external body parts of American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) collected from different kitchens. IOSR Jour of Pharm and Bio Sci. 2013; 7(6): 45-48.
Bala AY. and Sule H. Vectorial potential of cockroaches in transmitting parasites of medical importance in Arkilla, Sokoto, Nigeria. Nig Jour of Bas and App Sci. 2012. 20(2); 111-115.
Kinfu A, Erko B, Cockroaches as carriers of human intestinal parasites in two localities in Ethiopia. Transactions of the Roy Soc of Trop Med and Hyg. 2008; 102(11); 1143-1147
Agbodaze D, Owusu SB. Cockroaches (Periplanetta americana) as carriers of bacterial diarrhoea in Accra, Ghana, Central African Journal of Medicine. 1989; 35: 484–486.
Devi SJN, Murray CJ. Cockroaches (Blattella and Periplaneta species) as reservoirs of drug-resistant Salmonella, Epid and Inf 1991; 107: 357-361.
Fotedar R, Shriniwas UB, Verma A. Cockroaches (Blattella germanica) as carriers of microorganisms of medical importance in hospitals. Epid and Infec. 1991; 107: 181-187.
Rivault C, Cloarec A, Guyader A. Bacterial load of cockroaches in relation to urban environment. Epidemiology and Infection. 1993; 110: 317-325.
Cotton MF, Wasserman E, Piper CH, Theron DC, VanTubbergh D, Campbell G, Frang FC and Banes J. Invasive disease due to extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing Kleibsiella pneumonia in neonatal unit: the possible role of cockroaches. Journal of Hospital Infection. 2000; 44: 13-17.
Prado MA, Pimenta FC, Hayashid M, Souza PR, Pereira MS, Gir E. Enterobacteria isolated from cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) captured in a Brazilian hospital. American Journal of Trop Med and Hyg. 2002; 61: 625- 629.
Fathpour H, Emtiazi G, Ghasemi E, Cockroaches as reservoirs and vectors of drug resistant Salmonella spp. Iranian Biomed J. 2003; 7: 35-38.
Tachbele E, Erku W, Gebre-Michael T, Ashenafi M. Cockroach-associated food-borne bacterial pathogens from some hospitals and restaurants in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Distribution and antibiograms. Journal of Rural and Tropical Public Health, 2006; 5: 34-41.
Oothuman P, Jeffery J, Aziz HA, Bakar E, Jegathesa M. Bacterial pathogens isolated from cockroaches trapped from paediatric wards in Peninsular Malaysia. Tran Roy Soc of Trop Med and Hyg, 1989; 83: 133-135.
Paul S, Kham AM, Muhibullah M. Evaluation of the common cockroach Periplaneta americana as carrier of medically important bacteria. J of Com Dis. 1992; 24: 206–210.
Burgess NRH. Hospital design and cockroach control, Tran Roy Soc of Trop Med and Hyg. 1984; 78:293-294.
Le Guyader A, Rivault C, Chaperon J, Microbial organisms carried by brown-banded cockroaches in relation to their spatial distribution in a hospital. Epid and Inf. 1989; 102: 485-492.