Cockroach Biota From Student's Hostels at the University of Jos, Nigeria

Abstract

A study was carried out to identify the bacterial pathogens and parasites associated with the Cockroach (Periplaneta americana L.) a well known domestic pest at the University of Jos student hostels having a population of about 3,000 students. A total of 151 Cockroaches were collected from the toilet environment and examined for bacterial pathogens and parasites using standard culture and microscopy. The study revealed the occurrence of twelve different parasites namely: Entamoeba histolytica (29.8%) Entamoeba coli (11.3%), Endolimax nana (l3.2%) Isospora belli 16.6%) Giardia lamblia (23.8%), Taenia sp (2.6%), Hymenolepis nana (3.2%), Ascaris lumbricoides (9.3%), Trichuris trichiura (2.6%), Enterobius vermicularis (9.3%) Hookworm (14.6%) and Strongyloides stercora.lis_(9.9%). Also isolated were seven (7) bacterial species: Staphylococcus sp (11.4%), Streptococcus sp (10.5%), Escherichia coli (34.3%) Salmonella sp (5:7%) Shigella sp (9.5% ), Klebsiella sp (17.5%), and Bacillus sp (4.0% ).The occurrence of these parasites/pathogens has obvious implication of a possible out break of gastro-enteritis, thus the need for control measures against the insect.