Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026
12:21
The Madagascar Hissing Cockroach as an Alternative Non-mammalian Animal Model to Investigate Virulence, Pathogenesis, and Drug Efficacy
Published on: November 24, 2017
10.9K
Cockroach Microbiome Disrupts Indoor Environmental Microbial Ecology with Potential Public Health Implications.
Jiahui Ma1, Mengzhen Wang1, Ye Sun1
1School of Energy and Power Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China.
Environment & Health (Washington, D.C.)
|April 24, 2025
Summary
Cockroaches spread diverse bacteria, including potential pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes, impacting indoor environments and human health. Understanding these microbial interactions is crucial for public health strategies.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Environmental Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Cockroaches are global public health concerns, with known allergens but less understood microbiome impacts.
- The transmission of microorganisms from cockroaches to humans and indoor environments requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate microbial interactions between cockroaches, indoor environments, and humans across diverse Chinese climate zones.
- To assess the contribution of cockroach-associated bacteria, including potential pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes, to indoor microbiomes.
Main Methods:
- Simultaneous collection of cockroach, indoor air, floor dust, and human samples from five Chinese cities.
- 16S rDNA sequencing to analyze bacterial populations and identify potential pathogenic bacteria (PPB).
- Fast Expectation-Maximization Microbial Source Tracking (FEAST) to determine microbial source contributions.
Main Results:
- Cockroaches harbor diverse bacteria, with PPB prevalence ranging from 1.1% to 58.9% across cities.
- Dominant resistance genes in cockroaches confer resistance to tetracycline, macrolide, and beta-lactam antibiotics.
- Cockroach bacteria potentially contribute 5.6% to floor dust and 1.3% to airborne microbiomes, with PPB contributions of 4.0% and 1.2%, respectively.
Conclusions:
- Cockroaches play a significant role in transmitting microorganisms, including pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes, to indoor environments.
- The cockroach microbiome influences indoor air and dust microbiomes, with implications for human health.
- Findings highlight the need to consider cockroaches in strategies for controlling microbial transmission and antibiotic resistance in homes.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Introduction to Microbial Ecology
546
Microbial ecology examines the complex web of interactions and diversity among microorganisms within various ecosystems. This field seeks to understand how microbial populations adapt to and influence their environments and how these interactions shape broader ecological processes. Microbes are integral to ecosystem function, participating in nutrient cycling, energy flow, and the maintenance of environmental homeostasis.An ecosystem represents a dynamic interaction between living organisms...
546
01:24Microbial Corrosion
93
Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) is a significant form of material degradation caused by the metabolic activities of microorganisms. This phenomenon poses substantial challenges across various industries, including oil and gas, maritime, and water treatment sectors.MIC occurs when microorganisms, such as bacteria, archaea, and fungi, colonize metal surfaces, forming biofilms that alter the local electrochemical environment. These biofilms can lead to the production of corrosive...
93
01:27Microbes and Climate Change
91
Microorganisms are pivotal agents in Earth's biogeochemical cycles, significantly influencing climate dynamics through their metabolic activities. These microbes modulate the levels of key greenhouse gases by both contributing to and helping mitigate climate change.Microbial Contributions to Greenhouse Gas EmissionsRising global temperatures accelerate microbial metabolism, which, in turn, speeds up the decomposition of organic matter. This process releases carbon dioxide (CO₂) through...
91
01:22Introduction to the Human Microbiota
209
Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity,...
209
01:27The Oral Microbiota
90
The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
90
01:29Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract
55
The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more...
55