Full Length Research Article

Available online at http://www.ajol.info/index.php/njbas/index

Nigerian Journal of Basic and Applied Science (June, 2012), 20(2): 111-115 ISSN 0794-5698

Vectorial Potential of Cockroaches in Transmitting Parasites of Medical Importance in Arkilla,

Sokoto, Nigeria

*A.Y. Bala and H. Sule

Department of Biological Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto
[*Corresponding Author email: aminubala2001@yahoo.com]

ABSTRACT: A study was conducted to determine the role of cockroaches as potential carriers of parasites of
medical importance in Arkilla Federal Low Cost, Sokoto, Nigeria from October 2011 to February 2012. A total of
218 cockroaches, comprising of two species were collected from different locations using sweep net and
examined for human intestinal parasites using the concentration method. The dominant cockroach species was
Periplaneta americana 145 (66.51%) followed by Blatta orientalis 73 (33.49%). Six medically important parasites
were encountered in the following order Entamoeba histolytica (40.83%), Ascaris lumbricoides (28.40%),
Enterobius Vermicularis (15.98%), Schistosoma mansoni (9.48%), S. haematobium (2.95%) and Trichuris
trichura (2.36%). There was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) in the isolates between cockroach
species and stage of development. However significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed between sexes
and sites of cockroach collection. Therefore, as cockroaches continue to constitute important reservoir for
infectious pathogens, control measures instituted in toilets, kitchens; and targeting especially the females and
both stages of development of cockroach could substantially minimize the spread of infectious diseases in the
study area.
Keywords: vectors, cockroaches, parasites, medical, Arkilla

INTRODUCTION Czajka et al., 2003). Cockroaches feed on garbage

Cockroaches are the most abundant and obnoxious and sewage and so have copious opportunities to
non-biting insect pests in residential buildings, disseminate human pathogens (Cotton et al., 2000;
hospitals, hostels, hotels and restaurants (Piper and Pai et al., 2005). In addition, their nocturnal and filthy
Antonelli, 2012). They feed indiscriminately on human habits made them ideal carriers of various pathogenic
food and sewage. When cockroaches run over food, microorganisms (Allen, 1987).
they contaminate the food by leaving an oily liquid
that has offensive odour or bacteria that can cause This work was therefore designed to isolate and
food poisoning (Brenner et al., 1987). Some parasites identify parasites from external surface of
have been found in the external and internal body cockroaches in Arkilla Federal Low cost, Sokoto. The
parts of cockroaches. Findings have also shown that findings may be of immense benefit to the residents
exposure to cockroach antigens may play an of the area and residents of other areas within and
important role in Asthma related health problems outside Nigeria, as it will help to educate them on the
(Montressor et al., 1998). dangers pose to them by the presence of
cockroaches in their houses. The study will also
There is an unprecedented increase in cockroach inform them of the different parasites probably
population in public places all over the world. vectored by the cockroaches in the study area.
Particularly in Nigeria, the risk to human health
arising from cockroach infestations have been MATERIALS AND METHODS
reported (Allen, 1987). Cockroaches are abundant in Study area
most homes in Nigeria, where they are actually called The study area was Arkilla Federal Low Cost (latitude
“landlords” in homes. 130 1’ 26’N and longitude 50 11’48’E) of Wamakko
Cockroaches are among the most notorious pests of Local Government Area, Sokoto State. The study
premises, they frequently feed on human faeces, and area has both hot and cold seasons. The hot season
therefore they can disseminate cysts of enteric reaches its peak between March and April, while the
protozoans in the environment if such faeces are cold season has its peak between November and
contaminated. They can not only contaminate food by February. The cold season is always accompanied by
leaving droppings and bacteria that can cause food dust. The state experiences a short rainy season
poisoning (Che Ghani et al., 1993) but they can also (June–September) and a long dry season (October–
transmit bacteria, fungi, and other pathogenic May). The rainfall (wet season) starts April and June
microorganisms in infested areas (Kopanic, 1994; and ends around October. The rainfall is usually

111
 Nigerian Journal of Basic and Applied Science (June, 2012), 20(2): 111-115

erratic and associated with periodic drought. The 0.05) in the occurrence of parasites in the two
mean maximum temperature is about 400C and 150C cockroach species (Table 1).
mean minimum (Yakubu and Singh, 2001). Arkilla is
mainly populated by Hausa–Fulani and a mixture of Medically important parasites encountered during the
other languages like Yoruba, Igbo, Igala, Nupe, etc. survey include cysts of Entamoeba histolytica, ova of
Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichura, and eggs of
Sample collection Schistosoma mansoni, S. haematobium and
A total of 218 cockroaches were caught, using sweep Enterobius vermicularis. There was no significant
net, from different locations (refuse dumps, toilets, difference (p > 0.05) in the occurrence of these
kitchens, parlours and bedrooms) in the study area, parasites on the external parts of the cockroaches,
May – December 2011. Each cockroach caught was although E. histolytica was the most encountered
placed in a sterile sample bottle separately, and (40.83%), followed by A. lumbricoides (28.40%), then
transported to the Zoology Laboratory of the Usmanu E. Vermicularis (15.98%), S. mansoni (9.48%), S.
Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. Each cockroach was haematobium (2.95%) and finally T. trichura (2.36%)
euthanized alone in a killing jar using choloroform (Figure 1). Also it was found that the female roaches
and then examined under the dissecting microscope. with 90.20% carrying parasites, was significantly (p <
The sex, stage of development, and species of 0.05) more vectorial than males with 66.38% infection
cockroaches were identified with the help of an (Table 2).
entomologist using standard taxonomic keys.
Table 1: Number of Contaminated Cockroaches in
Isolation and Identification of Parasites the Study Area
After identification, each cockroach was placed in a Species No. Examined No. Positive
test tube containing 2mls of normal saline. The test P. Americana 145 112 (77.24)
tube was shaken vigorously for two minutes to detach B. orientalis 73 57 (78.08)
any parasite or their stages from the external body of Total 218 169 (77.52)
the cockroach. Thereafter, the fluid was transferred to Values in parenthesis are Percentage of Contaminated
a centrifuge tube and centrifuged at 3000rpm for 5 cockroaches in the study area
minutes. After decanting the excess top fluid, the
residual deposit was placed on a clean glass slide, Table 2: Distribution of Medically Important Parasites
covered with a cover slip and stained with Lugol’s by Gender of Cockroach in the Study Area
iodine and viewed under the x40 microscope Species No. Examined No. Positive
objective lens. The parasites and/or their stages Males 116 77 (66.37)
encountered were identified and counted using keys Females 102 92 (90.19)
of Cheesbrough (1998). Values in parenthesis are Percentage of Contaminated
cockroaches in the study area
Statistical Analysis
Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the
45.00% 40.83%
prevalence while Chi square analysis was used to
40.00%
determine association and significant differences
between the parameters tested at p≤ 0.05. 35.00%
28.40%
30.00%
RESULTS 25.00%
A total of 218 cockroaches were studied, all were 20.00% 15.98%
identified as Periplaneta american (145) and Blatta 15.00%
9.48%
orientalis (73), males (116) females (102); 182 were 10.00%
5.00% 2.95% 2.36%
adults while 36 were at nymph stage. The results
show that, out of the 218 cockroaches caught and 0.00%
examined for the presence of parasitic stages, 169
were found to be carrying different stages of
parasites, representing 77.52%. Species specific
prevalence shows that, out of the 169 cockroaches,
112 representing (77.24%) were the American Parasite recovered
cockroaches (P. americana), while the remaining 57
(78.08%) were oriental cockroaches (B. orientalis). Figure 1: Recovery rate of parasites from the two
There was no statistically significant difference (p > cockroach species in the study area

112
 Bala and Sule: Vectorial Potential of Cockroaches in Transmitting Parasites of Medical Importance in ..........

The developmental stages of the cockroaches were associated with the locations where the cockroaches
equal in their vetorial potential (p > 0.05), although were caught (p < 0.05) (Figure 2).
157 (83.51%) adults were carrying parasites as
against 17 nymphs (47.22%) (Table 3). Table 3: Occurrence of Medically Important Parasites
in the Different Developmental Stages of the
Based on the location, the results showed that Cockroaches in the Study Area
85.21% of the roaches caught in toilets carried Species No. Examined No. Positive
parasites, followed by those caught in kitchens Adults 182 152 (83.52)
79.41%, then refuse dumps 55.55%, bedrooms with Nymphs 36 17 (47.22)
44.44% and the finally those caught in parlours Values in parenthesis are Percentage of Contaminated
having 37.50%. Vectorial potential was significantly cockroaches in the study area

44.44% Bedroom
85.21%
Kithcen
79.41%
55.55% Parlour
37.50% Refuse Dump
Toilet

Figure 2: Parasite recovery rate from cockroaches in different locations of the study area

DISCUSSION have shown these parasites to be common in

The importance of cockroaches, as carriers of different localities, especially in those areas where
parasitic worms, cysts, or eggs, was based on some personal hygiene is lacking. In addition, the presence
reports about the presence of parasitic forms on or in of E. vermicularis infestation indicates that the
cockroaches (Greenberg, 1973). The findings from cockroaches had contact with infected patients or
this study revealed that cockroaches irrespective of contaminated clothes which emphasises their
the species do play a significant role in transmitting vectorial potential for parasitic diseases (Chan et al.,
parasitic diseases, as more than 70% of the two 2004). The high occurrence of E. histolytica over
cockroach species vectored parasites and are other parasites, observed in this study, might
capable of transmitting them to humans or animals. probably be because of the resistance conferred by
As reported by Iwuala and Onyeka (1977), these two the cyst wall, which makes the cysts to survive days
species of cockroaches are common in Nigeria. The to weeks in the external environment and probably be
overall prevalence of 77.52% recorded in this study vectored by cockroaches and other synanthropic
seemed to be higher than 67% reported by Ajero et insects. Similarly, A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura, S.
al. (2011) in Owerri, Nigeria, but is lower than 98% mansoni and haematobium, are causative agents of
observed in Egypt by El-Sherbini and El-Shaebini human helminthiasis while E. histolytica causes
(2011). The low prevalence in this study compared to Amoebiasis. Since this report revealed the presence
that of Egypt, may be as reported by El-Sherbini and of these pathogens from the exoskeleton of roaches
El-Sherbini (2011), that the area they conducted their in a developing tropical environment like Arkilla
research severely lacked hygiene services. According Federal Low Cost, Sokoto, it becomes imperative to
to them, the area they conducted their study had urgently institute control measures on these insects
many piles of faecal matter in nearby mangrove through massive public health/enlightenment
swamp. This might have caused the high rate of education on improving the existing standard of
contaminated cockroaches observed in their study. environmental sanitary conditions.

The lack of significant difference in the occurrence of The fact that the female roaches were significantly
the different species of parasites in this study might more vectorial than the males, may probably be
possibly be an indication that all these parasites can attributed to the observation that they roam more
equally be transmitted by the cockroaches than the males in search of both food and sites to lay
irrespective of the species. Many reports in Nigeria their eggs. They come in contact with contaminated

113
 Nigerian Journal of Basic and Applied Science (June, 2012), 20(2): 111-115

materials as they roam, making them more Owerri, South East Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of
vulnerable to be contaminated with pathogens. Parasitology, 32(2): 153 – 156.
Allen, B.W. (1987). Excretion of viable Tubercle
Findings from this study also revealed that the Bacilli by Blatta orientalis following ingestion of
different developmental stages of the cockroaches heat – fixed sputum smear: A laboratory
share equal potential in transmitting parasites of investigation. Medicine and Hygiene, 81: 98-99.
medical importance. This is observed by the lack of Brenner, R.J., Koehler, P.G. and Patterson, R.S.
significant difference between such parameters. (1987). Health implications of cockroach
Therefore, control measures should target both infestation. Infections in Medicine: Infectious
stages. Disease in Medical and Family Practice, 4(8):
349-355.
Worthy of note is that vectorial potential significantly Bundy, D.A.P., Hall, A., Medley, G.F. and Savioli, L.
associated with the source of cockroaches in this (1992). Evaluation measures to control intestinal
study. The higher number of cockroaches vectoring parasitic infections. World Health Statistics
parasites observed in the toilets is understandable Quarterly, 45: 168-79.
because of the fact that cockroaches are more Chan, O.T., Lee, E.K., Hardman, J.M. and, Navin,
accessible to toilets where contamination with faecal J.J. (2004). The cockroach as a host for
matter is most likely. However, that toilets are Trichinella and Enterobius vermicularis:
followed by kitchens is quite insinuative and alarming. implications for public health. Hawaii. Medical
People have to be careful not to allow cockroaches’ Journal, 63: 74-77.
accessibility to kitchens, as they have the potential to Chandler, A.C. and Read, C.P. (1962). Introduction to
vector and transmit parasites. They should also parasitology with special references to the
ensure they cover food and food utensils to reduce parasites of man. 10th ed. New York: John
the rate of transmission of parasites by cockroaches. Wiley & Sons.
Che Ghani, B.M., Oothuman, P., Hashim, B.B. and
From this investigation it can be concluded that over Rusli, B.I. (1993). Patterns of hookworm
70% of the cockroach population was contaminated. infections in traditional Malay villages with and
After resting and contaminating the environment with without JOICFP Integrated Project in Peninsular
infective matter carried on the body surface, they can Malaysia-1989. In: Yokogawa M, Editors.
transmit the infection to the community, at the rate of Collected papers on the control of soil
77.52%. The cysts of E. histolytica, ova of A. transmitted helminthiases, Tokyo: APCO, 5: 14-
lumbricoides, T. trichiura, and eggs of S. mansoni, S. 21.
haematobium and E. vermicularis were observed in Cheesbrough, M. (1998). Medical Laboratory Manual,
the external body parts of the cockroaches. The for Tropical Countries. Vol. 1, ELBS,
discovery of A. lumbercoides, T. trichiura on the Cambridge. Pp. 323-431.
insects supported the supposition that cockroaches Cotton, M.F., Wasserman, E., Pieper, C.H., Van
play a significant role in the epidemiology of soil Tubbergh, D., Campbell, G., Fang, F.C. and
transmitted helminthes (STH), which could carry and Barnes, J. (2000). Invasive disease due to
spread pathogens to other places, since they are able extended spec-trum beta-lactamase-producing
to travel up to 3 miles an hour from and to unsanitary Klebsiella pneumoniae in a neonatal unit: the
sites (Rivault et al., 1993). Cockroaches constitute possible role of cockroaches. Journal of
important reservoir for infectious pathogens and also Hospital Infection, 44: 13-17.
transmit parasites; therefore, the control of Czajka, E., Pancer, K., Kochman, M., Gliniewicz, A.,
cockroaches could substantially minimize the spread Sawicka, B., Rabczenko, D. and Stypulkowska-
of infectious diseases. Misiurewicz, H. (2003). Characteristics of
bacteria isolated from body surface of German
Acknowledgment cockroaches caught in hospitals. Przeglad
We are thankful to the residents of Arkilla Federal Epidemiologiczy, 57: 655-662.
Low Cost for their understanding and support to El-Sherbini, G.T. and El-Sherbini, E.T. (2011). The
conduct this research. role of cockroaches and flies in mechanical
transmission of medical important parasites.
REFERENCES Journal of Entomology and Nematology, 3(7):
Ajero, C.M.U., Ukaga, C.N. and Ebirim, C. (2011). 98-104.
The role of cockroaches in mechanical Getachew, S., Gebre-Michael, T., Erko, B., Balkew,
transmission of parasites in households in M. and Medhin, G. (2007). Non-biting

114
 Bala and Sule: Vectorial Potential of Cockroaches in Transmitting Parasites of Medical Importance in ..........

cyclorrhaphan flies (Diptera) as carriers of Pai, H.H., Chen, W.C. and Peng, C.F. (2005).
intestinal human parasites in slum areas of Isolation of bacteria with antibiotic resistance
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Acta Tropica, 103: 186- from household cockroaches (Periplaneta
194. americana and Blattella germanica). Acta
Greenberg, B.I. (1973). Ecology, classification and Tropica, 93: 259-265.
biotic association. New Jersey: Princeton Piper, G.L. and Antonelli, A.L. (2012). Cockroaches:
University Press, Vol. 1. Identification, Biology and Control. Agricultural
Iwuala, M.O.E. and Onyeka, J.W.A. (1997). Types Research Center, Washington State University.
and distribution pattern of domestic insects in http://www.pnw0186.html. Retrieved on the 25th
Nsukka- Nigeria. Environmental Entomology, 6: of May, 2012.
49 – 60. Rivault, C., Cloarec, A. and Guyader, A.L. (1993).
Kopanic, R.J. (1994). Cockroches as vectors of Bacterial of cockroaches in relation to urban
Salmonella: laboratory and field trials. Journal of environment. Epidemiology and Infection,
Food Protection, 57: 125-132. 110(2): 317 – 325.
Montresor, A., Crompton, D.W.T., Hall, A., Bundy, Sornmani, S., Vivatanasesth, P., Harinasuta, C.,
D.A.P. and Savioli, L. (1998). Guidelines for the Potha, U. and Thirachantra, S. (1983). The
evaluation of soil-transmitted helminthiasis and control of Ascariasis in a slum community of
schistosomiasis at community level. Bangkok. In: Yokogawa M, Editors. Collected
WHO/CTD/SIP/98.1 papers on the control of soil-transmitted
Mott, K.E. (1989). The World Health Organization and helminthiases, Tokyo: APCO, 290(35): 260-266.
the control of intestinal helminths. In: Yokogawa Yakubu, M. and Singh, B.R. (2001). Erosional losses
M, Editors. Collected papers on the control of of soil and nutrients from dry land farm in
soil-transmitted helminthiases, Tokyo: APCO, 4: Sokoto, Nigeria. Journal Agriculture and
189-200. Environment, 1: 147 – 155.

115