Morphological and molecular characterization to determine the prevalence of endoparasites and ectoparasites of American cockroach, periplaneta Americana (linnaeus), in Penang Island
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Date
2014
Authors
Abdul Razak, Ainul Farhana
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Abstract
The American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, is the most common cockroaches found around the Penang Island, Malaysia and even worldwide. This study was conducted to examine the gastrointestinal parasites, protozoan parasites, ectoparasites and parasitic eggs of worm found internally and externally of the American cockroaches. The objective of this study was to identify the species of endoparasites and ectoparasites of American cockroaches sampled randomly around the Penang Island from eight different sampling sites by morphological identifications and molecular methods. American cockroach was identified as a mechanical carrier of the human intestinal parasites and spreading pathogenic diseases. The examination of the internal surfaces showed that American cockroaches were infected by endocommensal pinworms identified as Hammerschmidtiella diesingi or Hammerschmidtiella indicus, Thelastoma icemi and Leidynema appendiculata. The cockroaches were also infected by protozoan parasites identified as Nyctotherus ovalis, Balantidium ovatum, Gregarina blattarum and a vector of acanthocephalan parasites identified as Moniliformis moniliformis. Meanwhile, the external examination of the exoskeleton proved that American cockroaches represent an important vector of medical importance of parasites of humans identified as eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Enterobius
vermicularis, Taenia spp., Ancylostoma duodenale or Necator americanus, Trichostrongylus spp., Moniliformis moniliformis and trematode egg of Schistosoma malayensis. The larvae of Hookworm and Strongyloides stercoralis were also recovered from the external surfaces of the American cockroaches. They were also infected by the common mite identified as Pimeliaphilus podapolipophagus.