Isolation and Identification of Some Microbial Pathogens Associated Body Surfaces of Cockroaches in Residential Araes Within Sokoto State Metropolis

Cockroach (Periplaneta americana) harbour and disseminate the bacterial pathogens to the metropolis. They play important role in the transmission of different diseases either mechanically, occasionally and biologically. The presence of these cockroaches in the houses especially kitchens is an indicator of poor food hygiene. Cockroaches may spread a range of diseases and are a health hazard. They carry bacteria and fungi on their bodies from rubbish bins, sewers, drains and garbage areas and then transmit it to individuals by visiting their kitchens. The study was attempted to isolate and identify the pathogenic bacteria and fungi from the household room, toilet and kitchen areas of different houses in the metropolis. Cockroaches were collected by using sticky traps and direct collection. Pathogenic bacteria and fungi were isolated from the external surfaces of 100% of the American cockroaches examined. The following bacteria were identified Escherichia, Staphylococcus, Enterobacter, Bacillus, Aeromonas Vibrio Pleisiomonas and Salmonella Species. While fungal isolates recovered include Aspergillus specie, Mucor specie, Penicillium specie, Fusarium specie and Rhizopus specie. Total viable count and microbial loads of the isolates from the three sites revealed that the isolates obtained from toilet areas were high as compared to those from kitchen and rooms areas. This indicated that Periplaneta americana is a possible reservoir of several pathogens via their bodies