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Updated: Jul 4, 2025
Establishment and Maintenance of Gnotobiotic American Cockroaches Periplaneta americana
Published on: May 28, 2021
Cockroaches as carriers of human medically important parasites
Arshad Mohammad Abdullah1, Ahmed Saeed Merza2, Azad Abdullah Meerkhan3
1Department of Basic Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Duhok, Duhok, Iraq. arshadzanko@gmail.com.
Abstract:
Cockroaches have been identified as mechanical carriers of pathogens capable of infesting humans. The primary objective of this research was to detect and separate medically significant parasites found within the collected cockroaches. A total of 185 cockroaches were captured. In the laboratory, cockroaches underwent a series of steps. Initially, they were washed in a saturated salt solution and rinsed with 70% alcohol, dried, and subsequently dissected to examine endoparasites. In this study, a transport rate of 29.729% was documented, and four types of helminths were identified, which included Ascaris lumbricoides (47.27%), Enterobius vermicularis (30.91%), Trichuris spp. (7.27%), and Hymenolepis nana (14.55%). The parasites were more frequently found on the external surface of cockroaches (38/69.09%), compared to the internal surface (17/30.91%). Cockroaches captured in toilets were found to carry a higher percentage of parasites (31/16.75%) compared to those from kitchens (11/5.94%) and houses (13/7.02%). These findings suggest that cockroaches can serve as carriers for intestinal parasites and potentially act as mechanical agents in the dissemination of these parasites.
Insights
Cockroaches carry medically significant intestinal parasites, with over 29% of those studied found to be infected. These insects, particularly those from toilets, can act as mechanical vectors for parasite transmission to humans.
Area of Science:
- Medical Entomology
- Parasitology
- Public Health
Background:
- Cockroaches are recognized as mechanical vectors for various pathogens.
- Understanding the role of cockroaches in transmitting human-infesting parasites is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detect and identify medically significant parasites harbored by cockroaches.
- To determine the prevalence and types of helminths carried by cockroaches.
Main Methods:
- Collection and laboratory examination of 185 cockroaches.
- Washing, drying, and dissection of cockroaches to identify endoparasites.
- Analysis of parasite location (external vs. internal) and cockroach habitat.
Main Results:
- A transport rate of 29.7% was recorded.
- Four helminth species identified: Ascaris lumbricoides, Enterobius vermicularis, Trichuris spp., and Hymenolepis nana.
- Parasites were more prevalent on the external cockroach surface and in cockroaches from toilets.
Conclusions:
- Cockroaches serve as significant carriers of intestinal parasites.
- Cockroaches can act as mechanical agents in the dissemination of parasites, posing a public health risk.
- Habitat, particularly toilets, influences the parasite load in cockroaches.
