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

Abstract

Cockroaches are considered to be important reservoirs for protozoan and helminth parasites ,particularly an emerging Lophomonas spp., protozoan parasite. German cockroaches, Blattella germanica (B. germanica), are domestic pest distributed worldwide. However, little information is available regarding the burden of Lophomonas spp. infestation among domestic cockroach population worldwide. The present study investigated parasitic agents, emphasizing Lophomonas spp. infestation among B. germanica in northern Iran. During spring and summer 2018, a total of 496 adults B. germanica (265 males and 231 females) were trapped by hand and glass traps from the teaching hospitals in Mazandaran, Sari, northern Iran. All cockroaches were identi ed using taxonomic keys. Each cockroaches was anesthetized with chloroform and the alimentary tract removed. Each section was smeared onto a glass slide. All the smears were examined under light microscopy to determine the presence of the parasites. Ten genera of parasites were identi ed from the trapped B. germanica; overall, 233 (47%) were found to be positive for helminths (n=135) and protozoa (n=98). The helminths included Aspiculuris tetraptera egg ( 67/233, 28.7%), Oxiuros sp. (39/233; 16.7%), Dentostomella translucida (17/233; 7.3%), and nematodes Ova (12/233; 5.2%). The protozoan parasites identi ed Gregarina sp. (61/233; 26.2%), Entamoeba sp. (19/233; 8.2%), Blastocystis sp. (5/233; 2.1%), Lophomonas (4/233; 1.7%), Nyctotherus sp. (4/233; 1.7%), unclassi ed agella (5/233; 2.1%). Lophomonas spp. was detected within the gut of B. germanica, for the rst time, in Iran. It has previously been identi ed in the gut of cockroaches a long time ago, however, thisis the rst attempt to detect Lophomonas in cockroaches housing in hospitals. Thereby, it possibly presenting pose a serious respiratory infection risk for patients and health care personnel.

First Co-morbidity of Lophomonas blattarum and COVID-19 Infections: Confirmed Using Molecular Approach

“…Lophomonas is a neglected and emerging protozoan which infects human lower (mostly) and upper respiratory tracts. It mostly lives as a commensal agent in the hindgut of cockroaches [4,5]. For the last decades, lower and upper respiratory infections due to Lophomonas have been reported in some areas of the world, particularly in China and Iran.…”

“…Iran has been known for the highest number of lophomoniasis cases reported in the world [6][7][8][9][10][11]. Moreover, Lophomonas blattarum (L. blattarum) has recently been isolated from the cockroaches in Mazandaran province, northern Iran [5].…”

Post‐COVID‐19 co‐morbidity of emerged Lophomonas infection and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis: First case report

“…14 In some parts of Iran, particularly northern and eastern Iran, lophomoniasis is endemic. 3,4,6,9 Our patient was from the Mazandaran Province, northern Iran, where lophomoniasis is relatively common. Furthermore, the L. blattarum pathogen was recently isolated from the cockroaches in the province.…”

“…Furthermore, the L. blattarum pathogen was recently isolated from the cockroaches in the province. 3 Not only is this disease seen in immunocompromised patients in other countries, 15 but it has also been seen in Iran. [4][5][6][7][8][9] The symptoms of lophomoniasis, such as cough, fever, and shortness of breath, are common in other respiratory infections.…”

“…It is commonly found as a commensal agent in the hind intestines of cockroaches. 2,3 Lower and upper respiratory infections caused by Lophomonas have been documented in various parts of the world in recent decades, notably in China and Iran. Iran has a reputation for having the largest number of lophomoniasis cases in the world.…”