The Medical Importance of Cockroaches as Vectors of Pathogens: Implications for Public Health
Cockroaches, particularly Blattella germanica and Periplaneta americana , are among the most medically important insects, because of their close association with human living environments. They act as a critical reservoir and vector for a diverse range of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, f...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Compuscript Ltd
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Zoonoses |
| Online Access: | https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.15212/ZOONOSES-2024-0045 |
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| Summary: | Cockroaches, particularly Blattella germanica and Periplaneta americana , are among the most medically important insects, because of their close association with human living environments. They act as a critical reservoir and vector for a diverse range of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. These pathogens pose substantial public health challenges, including infectious diseases such as typhoid fever, dysentery, and cholera. Moreover, cockroaches act as carriers by harboring these pathogens on their external surfaces and within their gastrointestinal tracts. When cockroaches come into contact with food or other surfaces in human environments, they can facilitate pathogen transmission, thus increasing the risk of disease outbreaks. This review comprehensively examines the major pathogen categories associated with cockroaches, explores their mechanisms and efficiency as disease vectors, and assesses the global public health threats posed by these insects. Additionally, it discusses potential control strategies, to provide a robust scientific foundation for future research and the development of effective prevention measures. |
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| ISSN: | 2737-7466 2737-7474 |