Bacteria Associated With the American Cockroach Periplanata Americana (Dictyoptera: Blatellidae) In Amassoma, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Cockroaches have become the most common peridomestic insect pest of public health and epidemiological importance. The presence raises safety concerns, especially as carriers of food-borne pathogens and food-spoilage organisms. Using a swab bacteriological technique, investigations were carried out on the wings, legs and mouth parts of cockroaches trapped from sewers, kitchens and bathrooms from household in Amassoma, Bayelsa State. The density of microorganisms by standard plate count was used to analyze the samples. Microbial load gotten were 62 x 103 _ 76 x 103 cfu/ml-1 for wings, 45 x 103 ¬–53 x 103 cfu/ml-1for legs and 36 x 103¬- 41 x103 cfu/ml-1 for mouthparts respectively regarding heterotrophic bacterial count and 59 x 103 - 62 x 103 cfu/ml-1, 41 x 103 ¬- 53 x 103 cfu/ml-1 and 36 x 103 ¬- 43 x 103 cfu/ml-1 for fecal coliform count respectively. Five bacteria genera of the family Enterobacteriaceae, known as Opportunistic pathogens and responsible for food spoilage were identified such as Escherichia coli (33.3%) most frequently isolated, Citrobacter specie (16.7%), Enterobacter specie (16.7%) while Pseudomonas specie (22.2%) and Klebseilla specie (11.1%) were the least isolated. Highest bacteria count was recorded from the wings followed by the legs and the mouth. Cockroaches can readily move from contaminated zones such as faeces to food preparation areas spreading food spoilage and disease-causing organisms onto the food. Proper care in disposal of food remnants and overall cleanliness at the households prevent cockroaches from foraging in the kitchen, bedroom and toilet.