Fungi associated with household cockroaches (Periplanata Americana: Blattodea: Blattidae): In Akungba environment, Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Cockroaches are implicated in the mechanical transmission of diseases due to their migratory habits from pathogen-dense environments such as sewers to households. This study isolated and characterized fungi in different stages and from various parts of imago of Periplanata Americana collected from households in Akungba-Akoko, Ondo. Isolation of different fungi species was carried out by pour plating technique after a five-fold serial dilution using Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA). A total of 22 isolates belonging to 9 fungi genera and 15 species were obtained. Aspergillus had the highest frequency of isolation (7; 31.82%). Other fungi genera isolated were Cryptococcus, Rhodotorula, Candida, Geotrichum, Chrysoporium, Mucor, Penicillium and Syncephalastrum. This study support that cockroaches are implicated in the mechanical transmission of fungi some of which are potential pathogens and may cause diseases. Thus, cockroaches must be controlled and their direct contact with food and kitchenware should be prevented.