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Review
. 2019 Jan 17;4(1):14.
doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed4010014.

Nosocomial Pathogens: An In-Depth Analysis of the Vectorial Potential of Cockroaches

Eric S Donkor  1
Affiliations
Review

Nosocomial Pathogens: An In-Depth Analysis of the Vectorial Potential of Cockroaches

Eric S Donkor. Trop Med Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Nosocomial or healthcare-associated infections are regarded as the most frequent adverse event that threatens patients' safety and has serious economic and social consequences. Cockroach infestation is common in many hospitals, especially in the developing world. Common nosocomial pathogens isolated from cockroaches include Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Cockroaches also harbor epidemiologically significant antibiotic-resistant organisms, such as carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, which complicate nosocomial infections. Therefore, cockroaches constitute an important vector for nosocomial pathogens, and there should be zero tolerance for their presence in healthcare facilities. This paper aims to elucidate the possible role of cockroaches in nosocomial infections by reviewing the relevant research publications.

Keywords: Staphylococcus aureus; antibiotic resistance; cockroach; nosocomial infections.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author declares that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be constructed as a potential conflict of interest.

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