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Vector potential of cockroaches for Helicobacter pylori infection
Shigeyoshi Imamura1, Masakazu Kita, Yoshio Yamaoka
1Third Department of Internal Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
Objectives:
The routes of human infection with Helicobacter pylori remain unclear. In the present study, we examined cockroaches as possible vectors for transmission of H. pylori.
Methods:
We used a common species of cockroach (Periplaneta fuliginosa). After a 3-day fast, cockroaches were placed on agar plates containing freshly grown H. pylori (Sydney strain) (challenge group) or on sterile agar plates without H. pylori (control group). After 24 h of challenge, cockroaches were moved to disinfected containers, and sterile food and water were provided. The external surfaces (legs and body) and excreta of the cockroaches were sampled for culture, rapid urease test, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Results:
H. pylori were culturable from the excreta of the challenge group for 24 h postchallenge. Positive rapid urease test results were obtained up to day 3, and PCR analysis was positive for H. pylori DNA up to day 7 from the excreta. In contrast, H. pylori were not culturable from the external surfaces of the cockroaches. The rapid urease test was positive for only 8 h, and PCR analysis was positive for H. pylori DNA for 1 day from the external surface.
Conclusions:
Cockroaches usually live in unsanitary environments and may contaminate foods and food containment areas such as pantries. Transmission of H. pylori infection could be achieved via inadvertent ingestion of foods contaminated with cockroach excreta containing viable H. pylori.
Insights
Cockroaches can transmit Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection through their excreta. Viable H. pylori were detected in cockroach excreta for up to seven days, suggesting a potential transmission route.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- The transmission routes of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections are not fully understood.
- H. pylori is a significant cause of gastrointestinal diseases worldwide.
- Identifying novel transmission vectors is crucial for effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential role of cockroaches (Periplaneta fuliginosa) as vectors for H. pylori transmission.
- To determine the survival and shedding patterns of H. pylori in and on cockroaches.
Main Methods:
- Cockroaches were exposed to H. pylori (Sydney strain) or a control.
- Samples from external surfaces and excreta were analyzed using culture, rapid urease test, and PCR.
- Analysis was conducted at various time points post-exposure.
Main Results:
- H. pylori was culturable from cockroach excreta for 24 hours post-exposure.
- H. pylori DNA was detected in excreta via PCR up to 7 days post-exposure.
- H. pylori was not culturable from external cockroach surfaces beyond 8 hours (rapid urease test) or 1 day (PCR).
Conclusions:
- Cockroaches, often found in unsanitary environments, can contaminate food and surfaces with H. pylori via their excreta.
- Inadvertent ingestion of contaminated food presents a plausible transmission route for H. pylori infection.
- Cockroach excreta pose a potential public health risk for H. pylori transmission.