Tehran University of Medical Sciences Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases 2322-1984 12 1 2018 03 18 16 23 EN Hamid Kassiri Medical Entomology and Vector Control Department, Health Faculty, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Majid Zarrin Medical Mycology Department, Medicine Faculty, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Rahele Veys-Behbahani Student Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran 2018 02 12 2018 02 12 Background: Cockroaches are the most prevalent domestic pests of a worldwide distribution. They were recognized as possible vectors of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites in residential dwellings and hospital environ­ments. The present study isolated and identified yeasts and filamentous fungi from digestive tract of American cock­roaches, collected from three different residential regions of Iran. Methods: Seventy cockroaches were sampled using direct collection (hand catch), vacuum cleaner and sticky traps in Ahvaz, Iran in 2009–2010. Their medically important fungal microorganisms were isolated from digestive tract using standard mycological methods. Filamentous fungi were identified by macroscopic and microscopic examina­tion. Yeasts were identified by API ID32C-32100 kit. Results: A high percentage of cockroaches (88.6%) were detected to carry fungi of medical importance. Overall, 23 fungi species/genera were isolated from the American cockroaches' alimentary tract. The fungi isolated from cock­roaches, from the residential regions were species of Aspergillus, Rhizopus, Penicillium, Mucorales, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Mycelia, Chrysosporium, Candida, Rhodotorula, Zygosaccharomyces, and Debaryomyces. Candida spp. (41.4%), Aspergillus spp. (37.1%) and Rhodotorula spp (27.1%) were the most common fungi recovered on cockroaches. Candida albicans and Candida glabrata were the commonest species of the genus Candida. In addi­tion, Aspergillus niger and A. flavus were the most frequent species of the genus Aspergillus. Conclusion: American cockroaches may carry pathogenic fungi in the urban areas of Ahvaz. https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/view/798 https://jad.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jad/article/download/798/368