European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

IN-VITRO STUDIES ON THE PUBLIC HEALTH IMPORTANCE OF PERIPLANETA AMERICANA IN THE TRANSMISSION OF HUMAN INTESTINAL PARASITES

Nnadi C.I.*, Ukaga C.N., Ihenetu F.C.*, Obasi C.C., Okoro C.I. and Ohanusi I.N.

ABSTRACT

This study aims at determining the possible role of Periplaneta americana in the dissemination of ectoparasites and endoparasites of public health importance. The cockroaches used for this study were collected from two different sites, refuse dumps and residential areas 2km from the refuse dump. Parasites of medical importance were isolated from the external and internal surfaces of these cockroaches using the direct wet mount and molecular identification method and the data was analysed using the SPSS. A total of 200 cockroaches identified as Periplaneta Americana were used for this study, of this number, 170 were male adults and 30 were female adults. 150 cockroaches were collected from the refuse dump and 50 (4%) from residential areas carrying medically important parasites. Four parasites; Entamoeba histolytica (43.3%), Entorobius vermicularis (20%) Asacaris lumbricoides (19%) Thelastoma bulhoesi (28.6%) were isolated from these cockroaches. The refuse dump cockroach had at least one of these parasites either in their body surface or digestive tract, respectively while those from the residential areas had Entamoeba histolytica (4%) only at the external surface. In addition, yeast cells were also isolated only from the external and internal surfaces of the cockroaches from the residential areas. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the number of cockroaches infected and that not infected. A significant (p-0.05) difference in the external and internal parasites isolated from these cockroaches was also noted. The data from this study suggests that cockroaches, in refuse dumps can act as potential vectors of medical important parasites.

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