EVALUATION OF THE ROLE OF COCKROACHES AS CARRIERS OF MEDICALLY IMPORTANT PARASITES IN TWO DISTINCT COMMUNITIES IN ZARIA, NIGERIA
EVALUATION OF THE ROLE OF COCKROACHES AS CARRIERS OF MEDICALLY IMPORTANT PARASITES IN TWO DISTINCT COMMUNITIES IN ZARIA, NIGERIA
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Date
2015-03
Authors
YARO, CLEMENT AMEH
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Abstract
Cockroaches have been recognized as mechanical vectors of pathogens that cause diseases in human. This study was conducted to determine the role of cockroaches as potential carriers of parasites of medical importance in Ahmadu Bello University Main Campus and Samaru Village, Zaria, Kaduna State. Two species of cockroaches were collected from six sites areas in Ahmadu Bello University and four sites in Samaru Village respectively by handpicking and human parasites were recovered from the body surfaces of cockroaches using the sedimentation method. The prevalence of parasites in cockroach species was 96 (24.0%) in Periplaneta americana and 20 (8.70%) in Blattella germanica. On the sex of the cockroaches, male and female cockroaches had prevalence of 53 (17.79%) and 63 (18.98%) respectively, while based on the stage of development, adult cockroaches had a prevalence of 99 (19.08%) and nymph with a prevalence of 17 (15.32%). Three medically important parasites were recovered from the body surfaces. The prevalence of parasites recovered from external body surface are; Strongyloides stercoralis, 47 (7.5%), Moniliformis dubius, 27 (4.3%) and Entamoeba histolytica, 3 (0.5%) and from internal body surface; Moniliformis dubius, 40 (6.4%), Strongyloides stercoralis, 12 (1.9%) and Entamoeba histolytica, 5 (0.8%) were recovered. There was also no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) in the prevalence of parasites in sex, stage of development and point of collection of cockroaches. However, significant differences were observed between species (P≤0.01).There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between protozoa and helminths parasites obtained from Ahmadu Bello University and Samaru Village. Cockroaches constitute an important reservoir for infectious pathogens. Control measures should be instituted by targeting both sexes; stage
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of development. Also, improving sanitary conditions of our toilets, bathrooms, kitchens and environment could substantially minimize the spread of agents that cause diseases in the study area.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, FACULTY OF SCIENCE, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA
Keywords
EVALUATION,, ROLE,, COCKROACHES,, CARRIERS,, MEDICALLY,, IMPORTANT,, PARASITES,, DISTINCT,, COMMUNITIES,, ZARIA,, NIGERIA.