Annual Research & Review in Biology

Residences clustering around dumpsites have increased tremendously due to recent population expansion, consequent insufficient land, high level of ignorance and poor economic status in Nigeria. One of the reasons open dumpsites pose health problems is because of their attraction of cockroaches which are known vectors of appreciable numbers of pathogen. This study was therefore carried out to determine the prevalence of parasites in cockroaches recovered from residential houses around Awotan dumpsite in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo state.

Cockroaches were trapped using the sticky trap method and were washed using 2 mL normal saline solution. This solution was centrifuged at 2000 rpm for 5 mins and the sediment was stained with Lugol’s iodine and viewed under the microscope.

Out of the seventy cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) that got trapped and examined within the study period, a total of 61(87.1%) were infected with helminth and/or protozoan parasites. Parasites recovered and identified included Strongyloides stercoralis (80.6%), Nyctotherus ovalis (7.9%), Hammersmiditiella diesingi (2.9%), Toxascaris leonina (1.4%), Enterobius vermicularis (0.7%) and a fluke (4.3%). More parasites (83.5%) were recovered from the gut than the external body part (16.5%) of the infected cockroaches.

Residents around the dumpsites are prone to parasitic infestation through mechanical transmission of parasites by cockroaches. There is therefore the need for government to ensure a relocation of the dumpsite to a distant place and also enlighten people on the immense dangers involved in residing close to dumpsites.