Abstract

CAZORLA PERFETTI, Dalmiro; MORALES, Pedro  and  NAVAS, Patricia. Isolation of intestinal parasites from American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) in Coro, Falcon state, Venezuela. Bol Mal Salud Amb [online]. 2015, vol.55, n.2, pp.184-193. ISSN 1690-4648.

The American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) (Insecta: Dyctioptera, Blattodea) is a specie with a cosmopolitan distribution and well adapted to human environments. Cockroaches constitute a health hazard in areas with poor sanitary facilities. The aim of this study was to identify parasitic enteric taxa on tegument and intestinal tract of nymphs and adults of P. americana. Between April and November 2014, 149 specimens (102 adults and 47 nymphs) were collected in 3 municipal environments:an out market (N= 32), a university (N=62) and a hospital (HUAVG) (N=55), from Coro city, Falcon state, Venezuela.Parasitological analysis revealed the presence of 13 parasitic taxa in 97,99% (146/149) of cockroaches; seven of these parasites are considered to be for sanitary importance (Blastocystis spp., Leptomonas spp., Cyclospora spp., Cystoisospora spp., Lophomonas blattarum, Ascaris spp. and Enterobius vermicularis). Blastocystis spp. (82,6%: 123/149) and Leptomonas spp. (70,5%: 105/149) were the most prevalent taxa.The implications of these findings for public health were discussed.

Keywords : Periplaneta americana; intestinal parasites; identification; phoresis; Venezuela.

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