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Contamination of cockroaches (Insecta: Blattaria) to medically fungi: A systematic review and meta-analysis
1Department of medical entomology and vector control, school of public health, Tehran university of medical sciences, POB 6446-14155 Tehran, Iran.
Introduction:
Fungal infections have emerged worldwide. Cockroaches have been proved vectors of medically fungi.
Methods:
A systematic meta-analysis review about cockroach fungal contamination was investigated. Relevant topics were collected between January 2016 and January 2017. After a preliminary review among 392 collected papers, 156 were selected to become part of the detailed systematic meta-analysis review.
Results:
Cockroaches contaminated to 38 fungi species belonging to 19 families and 12 orders. About 38, 25 and 13 fungal species were recovered from the American, German and brown-banded cockroaches, respectively with a variety of medical importance. Except the fungi isolated from German and brown-banded cockroaches, 15 species have been isolated only from the American cockroaches. The global world mean and trend of cockroach fungal contamination were 84.1 and 50.6-100%, respectively in the human dwelling environments. There is a significant difference between cockroach fungal contamination in the urban and rural environments (P<0.05) without a significant difference between hospital and household environments (P>0.05). The external and internal cockroach fungal contamination is more dangerous than entire surfaces, while the internal is more dangerous than the external surface. The German and brown-banded cockroach fungal contamination are more dangerous than the American cockroaches in the hospital environments.
Conclusion:
The study indicates that globally cockroach fungal contamination has been increased recognizing as agents of human infections and associating with high morbidity and mortality in immune-compromised patients. These facts, along with insecticide resistance emergence and increasing globally cockroach infestation, reveal importance of cockroaches and need for their control more than ever.
Insights
Cockroaches globally carry numerous fungi, posing a significant health risk, especially to immunocompromised individuals. Increased infestation and insecticide resistance highlight the urgent need for cockroach control to prevent fungal infections.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Environmental Health
- Vector-borne Diseases
Background:
- Fungal infections are a growing global health concern.
- Cockroaches are recognized vectors for various medically important fungi.
- Understanding cockroach-associated fungal contamination is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a systematic meta-analysis of cockroach fungal contamination.
- To identify fungal species carried by different cockroach species.
- To assess the public health implications of cockroach-borne fungi.
Main Methods:
- Systematic meta-analysis review of relevant literature.
- Data collection from January 2016 to January 2017.
- Selection of 156 papers from an initial 392 for detailed analysis.
Main Results:
- Cockroaches were found to harbor 38 fungal species across 19 families.
- American cockroaches carried the most fungal species (38), followed by German (25) and brown-banded (13).
- Global mean cockroach fungal contamination in dwellings was 84.1%, with significant urban-rural differences.
Conclusions:
- Cockroach fungal contamination is increasing globally, contributing to human infections.
- These fungi are associated with high morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients.
- The rise in infestation and insecticide resistance necessitates enhanced cockroach control measures.
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