Periplaneta americana (Blattodea: Blattidae) fungal pathogens in hospital sewer systems: molecular and phylogenetic
Mahboobeh Madani1, Fatemeh Safari1, Maryam Khodabandeh1
1Department of Microbiology, Falavarjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Esfahan, Iran 84517-31167.
Abstract:
Cockroaches are known as mechanical vectors of some pathogens that can infect humans. The present study aims to rapidly identify Periplaneta americana fungal pathogens from sewer systems of public hospitals in Esfahan using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. A total of 55 P. americana cockroaches were randomly collected by direct trapping from sewer systems of seven hospitals and screened for fungal infectious agents using standard morphological methods and the PCR sequencing. From the American cockroach, we isolated 62 yeasts and 31 molds from the surface, hemocoel, and digestive tract of P. americana. Based on DNA sequence comparisons and other taxonomic characteristics, they were identified as more than four species of yeast and four species of mold. Yeast species including Pichia kudriavzevii, Candida glabrata, Pichia kluyveri, and Candida viswanathii, and molds such as Aspergillus niger, Penicillium italicum, Mucor plumbeus, and Rhizopus oryzae were isolated repeatedly from the surface, hemocoel, and digestive tract of P. americana. Our results show that the use of a combination of morphological, molecular techniques, and phylogenetic analysis can lead to the identification of pathogenic fungal agents in American cockroaches and also knowledge of fungal pathogens-arthropod host relationships.
Insights
American cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) from hospital sewers carry diverse fungal pathogens. This study identified multiple yeast and mold species, highlighting cockroaches as potential vectors for human-infecting fungi.
Area of Science:
- Medical Entomology
- Mycology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Cockroaches, particularly Periplaneta americana, are recognized mechanical vectors of human pathogens.
- Hospital environments, especially sewer systems, can harbor diverse microbial communities, including fungi.
- Understanding the fungal carriage of cockroaches is crucial for public health risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To rapidly identify fungal pathogens harbored by Periplaneta americana in hospital sewer systems.
- To investigate the prevalence and diversity of yeasts and molds in American cockroaches.
- To explore the potential role of cockroaches as vectors for fungal infections in healthcare settings.
Main Methods:
- Collection of 55 Periplaneta americana specimens from seven hospital sewer systems.
- Screening for fungal pathogens using standard morphological identification methods.
- Utilizing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequencing for molecular identification and taxonomic characterization.
- Analysis of fungal isolates from cockroach surfaces, hemocoel, and digestive tracts.
Main Results:
- Isolation of 62 yeast and 31 mold strains from Periplaneta americana.
- Identification of over four yeast species (e.g., Pichia kudriavzevii, Candida glabrata) and four mold species (e.g., Aspergillus niger, Penicillium italicum).
- Repeated isolation of identified fungal species from various parts of the cockroach, including surface, hemocoel, and digestive tract.
Conclusions:
- A combination of morphological and molecular techniques (PCR sequencing, phylogenetic analysis) effectively identifies fungal pathogens in American cockroaches.
- Periplaneta americana in hospital sewer systems harbors a significant diversity of potentially pathogenic fungi.
- This research contributes to understanding fungal pathogen-arthropod host relationships and public health implications.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:29Modern Molecular Taxonomy
01:28Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
01:20Applications of Molecular Taxonomy
01:28Fungal Phylum Ascomycota
01:29Fungal Group Zygomycota
01:29Overview of Fungi