Biodiversity of intestinal parasites carried by the external body of cockroaches at different food locations : case of Ain Témouchent city

Abstract

Cockroaches are vectors and harborages of several microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa and helminths which most of them are known to be causative agents of gastro-intestinal intoxications. Due to the lack of information’s in Algeria about the intestinal parasites intoxication and their transmission by cockroaches, this work aims to examine the intestinal parasites present on the bodies of twenty-eight cockroaches collected from different sites (Fast-Food, bakery, Super market, kitchen) at Ain Témouchent city (Algeria). However, no cockroach was found in the university restaurants of the girls and boy’s residences to be collected. The cockroaches identified belong to the four genus namely American, German, Striped and Nymph, with prevailing of the male sex. I Identification results of intestinal parasites and their different stages showed that the quality of the parasite does not depend on the species of cockroaches and/or the collection site. In fact, all cockroaches load a helminth eggs followed by Giardia spp. and Entamoeba spp. (each one at 60%), Ascaris eggs (50%), hookworm (40%), nematodes (20%), Endolimax spp. (5%) and others that they were not be able to be identified. Therefore, these results are of great interest in food risk communication and management.