Vector potential of the German cockroach in dissemination of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Survival time studies of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cockroaches (Blattella germanica) were carried out under standard laboratory conditions. Cockroaches were fed with graded doses (10(2), 10(5) or 10(7) per insect) of P. aeruginosa. Depending on the excretion of P. aeruginosa the cockroaches were categorized as non-excretors, intermittent excretors or continuous excretors. When a dose of 10(2) P. aeruginosa was used all the insects were non-excretors but with doses of 10(5) or 10(7) per insect, P. aeruginosa multiplied in the gut of the cockroaches and was excreted for up to 114 days. The significance of these findings is discussed.