Isolation and Diagnosis of Medically Significant Parasites from the American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana) in Shendi City, Sudan
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Abstract
Background: Cockroaches are ubiquitous in residential environments and can act as vectors for pathogens relevant to public health. This investigation aimed to determine the diversity, prevalence, and intensity of parasites carried by the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, in Shendi City, Sudan.
Methods: A total of 117 P. americana specimens were collected during the summer of 2021 from residential kitchens, bathrooms and sewers using jar traps baited with bread. Following euthanasia by freezing each cockroach was examined for external and internal parasite stages (cysts and ova) via standard parasitological techniques.
Results: The overall parasite prevalence was 31.6%, with a mean intensity of 6.7 parasites per infected insect. Eight species were detected: three protozoans (Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, Entamoeba coli, Giardia lamblia) and five helminths (Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Ancylostoma sp., Taenia sp., Enterobius vermicularis). Entamoeba coli was the most prevalent (10.3%), followed by E. histolytica/dispar (7.7%), T. trichiura and Ancylostoma sp. (0.9% each). Taenia Parasite prevalencesp. showed the highest infection intensity (8.6) compared to the lowest (4.0), E. vermicularis and T. trichiura. Statistically, the parasite prevalence and intensity were significantly greater on the cockroaches' body surfaces compared to their digestive tracts (P< 0.001). Adult cockroaches also demonstrated significantly higher infection rates and intensities than nymphs.
Conclusion: The findings confirm that the cockroach, P. americana, can serve as a mechanical vector for protozoan and helminth parasites. Implementing preventive strategies, including improved sanitation and comprehensive pest management, is crucial to reducing the associated public health threat.
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