Cockroaches as carriers of bacteria in multi-family dwellings

Abstract

SUMMARYThe potential risk of bacterial dissemination due to the presence of cockroaches (Blattella germanica, Blattellidae) in low-income flats was investigated. Cockroaches can carry a great variety of bacterial species; we identified 30 different species from 52 different flats. Klebsiella oxycytoca, K. pneumoniae and Enterobacter cloacae were the most frequently found. Pathogenic and potentially pathogenic bacteria represented 54 % of all the bacterial identifications. Bacteria were carried either on the cuticle or in the gut. Contamination through external contact is sufficient to insure bacterial diffusion. There was a very low level of overlap estimated by Pianka's index (a) between the bacterial flora of neighbouring blocks of flats, and (b) between bacterial flora of different flats in the same block.

Study of Pathogenic Microorganisms in the External Body Parts of American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana) Collected from different Kitchens.

“…One possible source of food contaminations could be dissemination of the pathogens to foods and/or utensils of catering centres through small animals such as cockroaches that live closely with humans in urban environments. Various investigations around the world revealed that cockroaches living close to human dwellings were important carriers of etiologic agents belonging to all groups of potential pathogens: viral, bacterial, protozoan and helminthes (Burgess and Chetwyn 1981, Agbodaze and Owusu 1989, Fotedar et al, 1991, Cloarec et al, 1992, Pai et al, 2003a.…”

“…Cockroaches frequently feed on human feces, garbage and sewage, therefore they have copious opportunity to disseminate pathogenic agents (Uckay et al, 2009). They are known as one of the most important agents in transmission and distribution of many different bacteria, viruses, protozoa and fungi to human life, and they are intermediate host for some pathogenic intestinal worms (Cloarec et al, 1992). In addition to the presence of some bacteria, parasites and fungi in external surfaces of cockroaches they have been found in internal parts of their body, therefore these insects are considered important diseases vectors transmitted by both mechanical and biological routes (Thyssen et al, 2004 were isolated from cockroaches in hospital wards and residential areas (Fotedar et al, 1992).…”

Microbiological studies of cockroaches from three localities in Gaborone, Botswana

“…There has been great concern about cockroaches carrying and spreading microorganisms as they forage in the houses, and at the same time on to foodstuffs and working areas in the kitchen, which could result in allergic reactions from consumers [24,25]. The current study was carried out to determine population ranges of cockroaches in three localities around Gaborone, the external microbial load and diversity of cockroaches, the microbial diversity of the fecal pellets and the antibiotic resistance of the bacterial isolates.…”

Modeling Microorganism Transmission with Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches: An Inquiry Activity

“…The world of microorganisms includes bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and algae (Cloarec et al, 1992;Tortora et al, 2010). Microorganisms are extremely abundant and can be found on almost every surface on earth.…”

“…A vector is any living organism (person, animal, or insect) that carries and transmits a pathogen to another living organism. Insects, including cockroaches, are widely known as vectors that transmit pathogens (Cloarec et al, 1992;Menasria et al, 2014;Tortora et al, 2010).…”