Occurrence of some intestinal parasites in American Cockroach, periplaneta Americana, in Erbil / Iraq

ABSTRACT

During the periods May, June and July - 2000, a total of 48 American cockroaches, Periplaneta Americana, were collected from different localities [sewage water nets, latrines, patient's rooms and kitchens] of Rizgary and Erbil hospitals.After dissection of cockroaches, their digestive tracts were examined for the presence of the parasites. All of them were harbored the parasites. The following parasites were reported-A/ ProtozoansFrom sarcodina,cysts and trophozoites of both intestinal amebae, Entamoeba coli and Entamoeba histolytica; from flagellates, cysts of Giardia lamblia and trophozoites of Trichomonas hominis; and trophozoites of the ciliate Nyctotherus sp.B/ HelminthsEggs and adult worms of the nematode Enterobius vermicularis [pin or seat worm] and gravid segments of the cestode [tapeworm] Taenia saginata.Because of the absence of such studies in Iraqi Kurdistan Region, the present research was carried out in Erbil city to obtain useful information on the prevalence of intestinal parasites of cockroaches which are directly involved in the transmission of human parasitic diseases and to provide a broader understanding of public health pest management and encourage its elimination