Protozoan Cysts in Faecal Pellets of German Cockroaches (Blattella germanica), with Particular Emphasis on Lophomonas blattarum

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate protozoan cysts and oocyts in the faecal pellets of the German cockroach ( Blattella germanica ), with emphasis on the prevalence of Lophomonas blattarum . Methods Thirty adult Blattella germanica (12 males; 18 females) were trapped near Madrid, Spain. Expelled faecal pellets were collected in the laboratory over 5 days in two plastic containers. Protozoan cysts from one container were weighted and those in the other used for morphologically identification. Results Protozoan cysts/oocysts per gram of faecal pellet were: Nyctotherus sp. (0.0019/g), Entamoeba (0.0007/g), Balantidium coli (0.0001/g), Lophomonas blattarum (0.00038/g). Observation of 189 protozoan cysts/oocysts indicated the following prevalence: Nyctotherus sp. 65 (34.4%); Gregarina spp. 34 (18%); Entamoeba sp. 24 (12.7%); Cryptosporidium sp. 17 (9%); Coccidia 16 (8.4%); Lophomonas blattarum 13 (6.8%); Balantidium coli 4 (2.1%); and unclassified 16 (8.4%). Conclusion Lophomonas blattarum has previously been demonstrated in the gut of cockroaches, but this is the first assessment of the prevalence in Blattella germanica in faecal pellets. The presence of protozoa in faecal pellets provides some evidence for one step in a hypothesised route of respiratory infection whereby protozoa from household insects enter the respiratory tract.

First report of Lophomonas spp. in German cockroaches (Blattella germanica) trapped in hospitals, northern Iran

“…Several species can be found in the gut of German cockroaches, most important of which are Nyctotherus sp., Gregarina spp., Entamoeba spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Lophomonas spp., and Balantidium coli (van Woerden et al 2020). In the present study, the protozoa prevalence in the gut of German cockroaches was 35.9% as compared to that of 56.1% in Thailand (Chamavit et al 2011), 96% in Turkey (Oğuz et al 2017), and 27.4% in southwestern Ethiopia (Hamu et al 2014).…”

A Systematic Review of Zoonotic Enteric Parasites Carried by Flies, Cockroaches, and Dung Beetles

“…Cockroaches were found to be naturally contaminated with Balantidium spp. [59,68,80,81,95,97,99]. They also harbored the Blastocystis spp.…”

“…Both cockroach and fly vectors were found to harbor the Cryptosporidium spp. (cockroach: [47,59,68,89,95,97,99]; fly: [54,58,60,61,64,67,73,82,100]). However, dung beetles were only infected experimentally [50,71].…”

“…Entamoeba spp. were also found in cockroaches and flies (cockroach: [59,62,68,80,81,[87][88][89]95,97,99]; fly: [61,64,73,78,84,93]). Contamination with Giardia spp.…”

“…Within the included studies, several species of enteric parasites that were investigated have a possible, or even probable, zoonotic transmission risk. They include the Cyclospora spp., which were found to be naturally occurring in cockroaches and flies (cockroach: [68,81,83,88,97,99]; fly: [84]). O. dentatum and T. suis were found in fly samples [92].…”