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. 2020 Dec;65(4):831-836.
doi: 10.2478/s11686-020-00213-2. Epub 2020 May 29.

Protozoan Cysts in Faecal Pellets of German Cockroaches (Blattella germanica), with Particular Emphasis on Lophomonas blattarum

Hugo Cornelis van Woerden  1 , Rafael Martínez-Girón  2 , Cristina Martínez-Torre  3
Affiliations

Protozoan Cysts in Faecal Pellets of German Cockroaches (Blattella germanica), with Particular Emphasis on Lophomonas blattarum

Hugo Cornelis van Woerden et al. Acta Parasitol. 2020 Dec.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate protozoan cysts and oocyts in the faecal pellets of the German cockroach (Blattella germanica), with emphasis on the prevalence of Lophomonas blattarum.

Methods: Thirty adult Blattella germanica (12 males; 18 females) were trapped near Madrid, Spain. Expelled faecal pellets were collected in the laboratory over 5 days in two plastic containers. Protozoan cysts from one container were weighted and those in the other used for morphologically identification.

Results: Protozoan cysts/oocysts per gram of faecal pellet were: Nyctotherus sp. (0.0019/g), Entamoeba (0.0007/g), Balantidium coli (0.0001/g), Lophomonas blattarum (0.00038/g). Observation of 189 protozoan cysts/oocysts indicated the following prevalence: Nyctotherus sp. 65 (34.4%); Gregarina spp. 34 (18%); Entamoeba sp. 24 (12.7%); Cryptosporidium sp. 17 (9%); Coccidia 16 (8.4%); Lophomonas blattarum 13 (6.8%); Balantidium coli 4 (2.1%); and unclassified 16 (8.4%).

Conclusion: Lophomonas blattarum has previously been demonstrated in the gut of cockroaches, but this is the first assessment of the prevalence in Blattella germanica in faecal pellets. The presence of protozoa in faecal pellets provides some evidence for one step in a hypothesised route of respiratory infection whereby protozoa from household insects enter the respiratory tract.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Different types of protozoal cysts and oocysts observed in fresh samples from faecal pellets. a Nyctotherus sp. (× 1000). b Gregarina spp. (× 1000). c Entamoeba sp. (× 100). d Cryptosporidium sp. (× 1000). e Coccidia (× 1000) f Balantidium coli (× 1000)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Lophomonas blattarum cyst from faecal pellets. a, b fresh samples (× 1000). c Lugol´s iodine stain (× 1000). d Weathley´s trichrome stain (× 1000)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Trophozoite of Lophomonas blattarum in the intestinal extract from the gut of Blattella germanica in a fresh sample (× 1200)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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