ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF FUNGI FROM HOUSEHOLD COCKROACHES (PERIPLANATA AMERICANA) IN AKUNGBA-AKOKO, ONDO STATE NIGERIA.
Abstract
ABSTRACT
This study was done to isolate fungi from various parts and in various stages in the lifecycle of cockroaches collected from different household communities in Akungba-Akoko community Ondo State. Isolation of different fungal colonies was carried out by pour plating technique. Electron micrographs were taken for each fungal isolate. A total of 22 isolates were obtained belonging to 9 final Genuses and 15 species. The fungal species isolated include Cryptococcus spp, Cryptococcus laurentii, Syncephalastrum racemosum, Aspergillus candidus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus parasiticus, Aspergillus flavus, Rhodotorula minuta, Geotrichum candidum, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Chrysoporium xerophilum, Penicillium digitatum, Penicillium calidautus, and Mucor circinelloides. The various stages of lifecycle and various parts showed different fungal count. The Mouth and Antenna in the imago had the highest number of isolated fungi (36%), followed by Egg (23%), Limbs and wings (18%), Nymph (14%), while Abdomen and droppings showed the lowest number of isolated fungi (9%). Of the fungal genuses, Aspergillus had the highest frequency of isolation (6) while Syncephalastrum, Chrysoporium and Mucor had the least frequency of isolation (1). This study support that cockroaches are implicated in the transmission of fungi some of which are pathogenic and cause diseases. Control of cockroaches and prevention of their contact particularly with food and cooking utensils is important in prevention of diseases.
Keywords: Mechanical transmission, Cockroaches, Pathogenic fungi
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