The prevalence of protozoa in the gut of German cockroaches (Blattella germanica) with special reference to Lophomonas blattarum

Abstract

The German cockroach (Blattella germanica) is a common domestic pest, which produces allergens that have been associated with broncho-pulmonary disease. Various protozoan species have been identified in the intestine of this cockroach and it has been hypothesised that these protozoa, or their proteases, may contribute to the burden of cockroach-associated allergens and adjuvants present in domestic dust. The aim of this study was therefore to determine the prevalence of protozoan species in the intestine of Blattella germanica. German cockroaches were anesthetised and dissected and gut contents are used to produce wet slides for microscopy. Both, Giemsa and Papanicolaou stains were used to confirm correct identification of Lophomonas blattarum. Representatives of four genera of protozoa were identified in 110 cockroaches: Nyctoterus sp. was observed in 91.8% of cases, Gregarina sp. in 64.5%, Amoeba sp. in 25.4% and Lophomonas blattarum in 13.6%. Nyctoterus and Gregarina were statistically significantly more likely to be found in diseased cockroaches compared to Amoeba or Lophomonas. The prevalence of Lophomonas blattarum was similar to that in published studies of a different species of cockroach, Periplaneta americana. Further work is needed to assess the interplay between protozoa, cockroaches and broncho-pulmonary diseases.

Origin of Mutualism Between Termites and Flagellated Gut Protists: Transition From Horizontal to Vertical Transmission

“…Lophomonas is typically found in 8-14% of examined hosts, but can reach levels of 48% (see Martinez-Girón et al, 2017). As in other protists found in non-Cryptocercus cockroaches (e.g., Lucas, 1927;Kidder, 1937;Hoyte, 1961a), Lophomonas is not known to engulf wood particles and is consistently described as a commensal (Kudo, 1926a,b;Gile and Slamovits, 2012;Martinez-Girón and Van Woerden, 2013;Martinez-Girón et al, 2017); there is, however, no empirical evidence to support that categorization (discussed further below).…”

Infección broncopulmonar por lophomona blattarum en paciente inmunocompetente: primer reporte en Ecuador

“…Página 314 www.cienciadigital.org la LB el parásito menos frecuentemente encontrado con un 13.6% en un estudio europeo de 110 cucarachas estudiadas (6) . Característicamente presentando 50 o más flagelos apicales, con cuerpo de forma piriforme, citoplasma granular con partículas fagocitarias, un diámetro entre 20 -60 um de largo y 12-20 um de ancho, es un parasito que se identifica bajo microscopia óptica.…”

First report of Lophomonas spp. in German cockroaches (Blattella germanica) trapped in hospitals, northern Iran

“…Differences in morphological characteristics of (left mandible, right tegmen, hind-wings, and cerci) have differentiated them from other similar species. (Lawless 1999;Martínez-Girón et al 2017). Cockroaches act as a vector to transmit and harbor various pathogenic agents including bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and helminths (Al-bayati et al 2011;Bala and Sule 2012;Chamavit et al 2011;El-Sherbini 2011;Kinfu and Erko 2008;Pai et al 2003).…”