Study of Pathogenic Microorganisms in the External Body Parts of American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana) Collected from different Kitchens.

Abstract

American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) harbor and disseminate the microorganisms to the environment. They play important role in the transmission of different diseases either mechanically, occasionally and biologically. The presence of these cockroaches in the kitchens is an indicator of poor food hygiene. These pathogenic bacteria along with their vector not only detoriate our environment but also contaminate our food. Cockroaches may spread a range of diseases. Cockroaches are a health hazard. They carry bacteria on their bodies from sewers, drains and garbage areas and then transmit it to individuals by visiting their kitchens. The study was attempted to isolate the pathogenic bacteria from the household kitchens or the kitchen areas of different hotels/restaurants. Cockroaches were collected from kitchens by using sticky traps or direct collection. All the collected cockroaches were selected for the presence of pathogenic bacteria. From the collected Periplaneta americana, pathogenic species of bacteria like E.coli, salmonella, staphylococcus and streptococcus were isolated and identified by growth in their selective media using microbial techniques. The external body parts of all the collected American cockroaches were found contaminated with above mention species of bacteria. These findings proved potential role of Periplaneta americana in the transmission of pathogenic bacteria to the humans. Results showed that presence of cockroaches in the kitchen due to unhygienic conditions can threaten the health of individuals and cause serious diseases.