Isolation and Identification of Intestinal Parasites of Public Health implications from Cockroaches (Periplanta americana) from Kontagora Town, North-Central, Nigeria

Abstract

We investigated the prevalence of human intestinal parasites in cockroaches and their public health implications in residential  apartments in Kontagora, Niger State, North-Central Nigeria, in 2022. This work aims at determining the types and the prevalence of  intestinal parasites harboured by cockroaches. About eighty (80) adult cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) were trapped from three  residential areas and screened for human intestinal parasites. The results showed that 57.50% of the cockroaches caught were infected  with parasites. There was a significant difference (P> 0.05) in the number of infected male and female cockroaches. Parasite species  identified were as follows: Strongyloide stercoralis (19%), Entamoeba histolytica eggs (19%), Dipylidium caninum egg capsules (11%),  Enterobius vermicularis eggs (20%), Ancyclostoma duodenale (15%), Ascaris lumbricoide (8%) and Hymenolapis nana (8%). Parasite  prevalence and burdens varied with location; the prevalence was higher (P<0.05) in cockroaches from state low-cost residences than in  Kwangara and Federal University of Education students’ hostel. Parasite prevalence was significantly higher in the gut than on body  surfaces and faecal material. Cockroaches carry infective stages of human intestinal parasites and may act as reservoirs and potential  mechanical vectors for disease transmission in humans.