Topic:

Epidemiology and public health

Abstract No.:

ISE.177

Title:

Biological analysis of Periplaneta americana L. (Dictyoptera: Blattidae) in three hospitals of Ahwaz, Khuzestan Province, Southwestern Iran

Author(s):

H. Kassiri¹, M. Sepand²; ¹Ahwaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, School of Health, Departmrny of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, Ahwaz/IR, ²Ahwaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences , School of Health, Medical Entomology and Vector Control, Ahwaz/IR

Abstract:

Background: The American cockroach, Periplaneta americana L., is a very important urban pest in hospitals, human dwellings, food processing industries and occupational environments. They have been shown to feed on sputum, faeces, skin lesions and other human detritus, as well as on a variety of foodstuffs. These synanthropic insects have been documented to affect human health. American cockroaches act as a major mechanical vector for many pathogenic or nonpathogenic bacteria. These agents can stay alive for a few days on external parts of cockroach’s body.The aim of this research was to confirm that P . americana carry pathogenic bacteria in some hospitals of the city by bacteriological analysis of these insects.
Methods: Fifteen cockroaches were catched from different wards of three hospitals (namely Arya, Sina and Amir – Almohmenin) of Ahvaz (Khuzestan, Iran ) using direct collection, during 2006. Collected cockroaches were identified according to the reliable systematic keys. The washing fluid from external surface of cockroaches were cultured for identify bacteria according to standard microbiological procedures.
Results: Results of culture media showed that 100% of cockroaches were positive to the bacteria. Among three hospitals it is found that Sina hospital was more infected. All the American cockroaches were infected to at least one bacterium. The main common bacteria was found Escherichia coli at which 86.7% of cockroaches were infected. The second common diagnosed bacterium was found to be Proteus vulgaris at which 73.3% external infection by this bacterium was reported. The least contamination was approved to Staphylococcus vulgaris. Only 6.7% of cockroaches were externally infected. In addition to these bacteria, Bacillus cereus (66.7%), Streptococcus faecalis (60%), Staphylococcus aureus (60%), Enterobacter cloacae (53.3%), Shingella (33.3%) and Serratia (13.3%) were isolated on cockroaches.
Conclusion: Results exhibited that the presence of American cockroaches in the hospitals can threaten the health of hospitalized patients.