Human intestinal parasites on body surfaces of cockroaches at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Health Campus
In developed countries, human intestinal parasites are often neglected by the communities. This study aimed to screen for human intestinal parasites found on body surfaces of cockroaches at Desasiswa Nurani hostel USM Health Campus, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan. A total of 127 cockroaches were caught at...
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| Format: | Monograph |
| Language: | English |
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Universiti Sains Malaysia
2016
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| Online Access: | http://eprints.usm.my/62410/ http://eprints.usm.my/62410/1/SITI%20UMI%20SAHIRAH%20BINTI%20MOHD%20SABRI%20-%20e.pdf |
| Summary: | In developed countries, human intestinal parasites are often neglected by the communities. This study aimed to screen for human intestinal parasites found on body surfaces of cockroaches at Desasiswa Nurani hostel USM Health Campus, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan. A total of 127 cockroaches were caught at
four different locations using modified empty jar, commercial cockroach trap and hand
gloves. Between the two species of cockroaches, the dominant species was Periplaneta
americana (125/127; 98.4%) followed by Blattella germanica (2/127; 1.6%). Four or
five cockroaches were grouped in each 50 ml tube to obtain a total of 26 groups. A
solution of 0.9% normal saline was used to dislodge the parasites from body surfaces of
the cockroaches by using vortex. After removing the cockroaches, the solution was
centrifuged to obtain the pellet, which was then stained separately with trichrome or
modified acid-fast stain. Subsequently, the parasites were screened using a light
microscope under low and high magnification. In addition, DNA detection of
Entamoeba histolytica was performed using an in-house duplex polymerase chain
reaction (PCR) assay. The assay was incorporated with Plasmodium falciparum gene as
the internal control to rule out false negative results. The microscopy results showed
that neither helminth ova and larva nor protozoa cysts and trophozoites were observed
in the samples. However, 34.6% (9/26) groups of cockroaches were found to harbour
Strongyloides stercoralis. Interestingly, PCR analysis revealed that all the samples were negative for E. histolytica. In conclusion, neither helminth ova nor protozoa cyst or
trophozoite were found in the samples. However, some samples contained rhabditiform
larvae and free-living adult of S. stercoralis. |
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