Parasitic and microbial profile of cockroaches caught in University of Abuja hostels, Abuja, FCT, Nigeria

Abstract

A total of 120 cockroaches trapped and collected from different sites of the male and female hostels were examined using standard parasitological and mirobial techniques. Washing and examination of the external surfaces in saline, disection and examination of digestive tracts; culturing the external surface wash and gut homogenates of the cockroaches in batches. The examination resulted in the isolation of cysts and ova of 4 medically important parasites Ascarislum bricoides, Trichuris trichura, hookworm and Entamoeba histolytica and 6 medically important microorganisms, namely  Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Aspergillus spp and Penicillum spp. The results from this study revealed cockroaches as potential mechanical transmitters of cysts and ova of parasites as well as potential reservoirs and vectors of medically important microorganisms such as pathogenic bacteria and fungi.

Keywords: Cockroaches; parasitic; microbial; potential; reservoir.