Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Cockroaches”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

Molecular basis of arthropod cross-reactivity: IgE-binding cross-reactive epitopes of shrimp, house dust mite and cockroach tropomyosins.

BACKGROUND: Shrimp may cross-react with other crustaceans and mollusks and nonedible arthropods such as insects (cockroach and chironomids), arachnids (house dust mites) and even nematodes. Since the muscle protein tropomyosin has been implicated as a possible cross-reacting allergen, this study characterized the IgE-binding epitopes in shrimp tropomyosin, Pen a 1, that cross-react with other allergenic invertebrate tropomyosins in house dust mites (Der p 10, Der f 10) and cockroaches (Per a 7). Pen a 1-reactive sera from shrimp-allergic subjects were used to evaluate the effect on IgE binding of different amino acid substitutions in Pen a 1 epitopes based on homologous sequences in Per a 7 and Der p 10/Der f 10. METHODS: Peptides were synthesized spanning the length of Pen a 1 IgE-binding epitopes and amino acid substitutions were performed based on homologous amino acid sequences from Per a 7 and Der p 10/Der f 10. RESULTS: 7/8 individually recognized Pen a 1 epitopes (2, 3a, 3b, 4, 5a, 5b and 5c) had an identical amino acid sequence with lobster allergen, Hom a 1, 4/8 (3a, 3b, 4 and 5a) with Der p 10 and Der f 10, and 5/8 (2, 3a, 3b, 4 and 5a) with Per a 7. In addition, even homologous regions of other arthropod tropomyosins that differ in one or more amino acids from the sequences of Pen a 1 epitopes are still recognized by shrimp-allergic IgE antibodies. In total, shrimp-allergic sera recognize 6/8 peptides homologous to Pen a 1 epitopes in Per a 7, 7/8 in Der p 10/Der f 10, and 7/8 epitopes in Hom a 1. CONCLUSIONS: The IgE recognition by shrimp-allergic individuals of identified and/or similar amino acid sequences homologous to Pen a 1 epitopes in mite, cockroach and lobster tropomyosins are the basis of the in vitro cross-reactivity among invertebrate species. Based on amino acid sequence similarity and epitope reactivity, lobster tropomyosin has the strongest and cockroach the least cross-reactivity with shrimp. The clinical relevance of these cross-reactivities in developing allergic reactions to different arthropods needs to be determined.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Isolation of the 36-kD German (Blattella germanica) cockroach allergen using fast protein liquid chromatography.

Cockroach allergens have been established as important sensitizing agents in the induction of asthma. In the present investigation, we identified a 36-kD allergen from German cockroach (Blattella germanica) using fast protein liquid chromatography that reacted in the Bla g II monoclonal assay developed by Pollart et al. Defatted whole body German cockroaches were extracted in phosphate-buffered saline and fractionated using gel filtration (Superdex 75) and anion exchange (MonoQ) chromatography. The 36-kD allergen was isolated from this enriched allergen preparation by excision from modified preparative sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) gels, electroelution, dialysis and lyophilization. SDS-PAGE/Western immunoblot analysis using a serum pool of cockroach-sensitive individuals revealed a single band. The lyophilized 36-kD allergen was then analyzed for amino acid composition and digested for peptide amino acid sequencing.

Allergens↗
PubMed1999

Predictors of repeated wheeze in the first year of life: the relative roles of cockroach, birth weight, acute lower respiratory illness, and maternal smoking.

While more than 80% of childhood asthmatics are allergic to one or more inhaled allergens, the role of inhaled allergens in the induction of wheeze in the first year of life is unknown. In a prospective birth-cohort study of 499 children of asthmatic/allergic parents from metropolitan Boston, we examined home allergen concentrations measured within the first 3 mo of life as predictors of repeated wheeze episodes in the first year of life. In multivariate analyses adjusting for maternal asthma and dog in the home, predictors of two or more wheeze episodes in the first year of life included maternal smoking during pregnancy (relative risk [RR] = 1.83; 95% confidence limit [CL]: 1.12, 3.00), lower respiratory illness in the first year of life (croup, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, or pneumonia) (RR = 2.25; 95% CL:1.58, 3.19), low birthweight (RR = 1.28, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04, 1.58 for an interquartile difference), and Bla g 1 or 2 (cockroach) allergen level in the family room > 0.05 U/g dust (RR = 1.76; 95% CL: 1.20, 2.57). Cockroach allergen in the family room and repeated wheeze remained significant after adjustment for socioeconomic factors including race and income (RR = 1.63; 95% CL: 1.05, 2.55). It is unknown whether the association between cockroach and repeated wheeze in infancy represents a cockroach-related increased risk of bronchial inflammation through nonallergenic or allergenic mechanisms.

Allergens↗
PubMed2003

Ectopic transplantation of the accessory medulla restores circadian locomotor rhythms in arrhythmic cockroaches (Leucophaea maderae).

The presence of an endogenous circadian clock in the brain of an animal was first demonstrated in the cockroach Leucophaea maderae. However, the clock's cellular basis remained elusive until pigment-dispersing hormone-immunoreactive neurons, which express the clock genes period and timeless in Drosophila, were proposed as pacemaker candidates. In several insect species, pigment-dispersing hormone-immunoreactive neurons are closely associated with the accessory medulla, a small neuropil in the optic lobe, which was suggested to be a circadian clock neuropil. Here, we demonstrate that ectopic transplantation of adult accessory medulla into optic lobe-less cockroaches restores circadian locomotor activity rhythms in L. maderae. All histologically examined cockroaches that regained circadian activity regenerated pigment-dispersing hormone-immunoreactive fibres from the grafts to original targets in the protocerebrum. The data show that the accessory medulla is the circadian pacemaker controlling locomotor activity rhythms in the cockroach. Whether pigment-dispersing hormone-immunoreactive neurons are the only circadian pacemaker cells controlling locomotor activity rhythms remains to be examined.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Dynamics of rapid vertical climbing in cockroaches reveals a template.

Rapid, vertically climbing cockroaches produced climbing dynamics similar to geckos, despite differences in attachment mechanism, ;foot or toe' morphology and leg number. Given the common pattern in such diverse species, we propose the first template for the dynamics of rapid, legged climbing analogous to the spring-loaded, inverted pendulum used to characterize level running in a diversity of pedestrians. We measured single leg wall reaction forces and center of mass dynamics in death-head cockroaches Blaberus discoidalis, as they ascended a three-axis force plate oriented vertically and coated with glass beads to aid attachment. Cockroaches used an alternating tripod gait during climbs at 19.5+/-4.2 cm s(-1), approximately 5 body lengths s(-1). Single-leg force patterns differed significantly from level running. During vertical climbing, all legs generated forces to pull the animal up the plate. Front and middle legs pulled laterally toward the midline. Front legs pulled the head toward the wall, while hind legs pushed the abdomen away. These single-leg force patterns summed to generate dynamics of the whole animal in the frontal plane such that the center of mass cyclically accelerated up the wall in synchrony with cyclical side-to-side motion that resulted from alternating net lateral pulling forces. The general force patterns used by cockroaches and geckos have provided biological inspiration for the design of a climbing robot named RiSE (Robots in Scansorial Environments).

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Glycogen phosphorylase in the fat body of two cockroach species, Periplaneta americana and Nauphoeta cinerea: isolation, partial characterization of three forms and activation by hypertrehalosaemic hormones.

The presence of endogenous phosphorylase kinase and phosphorylase phosphatase in crude extracts of fat bodies from the cockroaches Nauphoeta cinerea and Periplaneta americana is demonstrated in vitro by activation/inactivation of glycogen phosphorylase under appropriate conditions. Fractionation of fat body extracts of both cockroach species on an anion-exchange medium results in the elution of three peaks with phosphorylase activity. According to their AMP dependency these activity peaks are designated as phosphorylase b (inactive without AMP), phosphorylase ab (active without AMP, but several times stimulated with AMP) and phosphorylase a (active without AMP). It is shown chromatographically that incubating crude extracts of fat bodies from both cockroaches, under conditions where the phosphorylase kinase is active, results in all phosphorylase b being converted to the ab- or a-form, whereas under conditions where the phosphorylase phosphatase is active all phophorylase a is converted to the ab- or b-form. Endogenous phosphorylase kinase of N. cinerea crude fat body extract can convert vertebrate phosphorylase b into the a-form, and, conversely, vertebrate muscle phosphorylase kinase and phosphorylase phosphatase, respectively, are able to convert partially purified N. cinerea phosphorylase ab or b and the ab- und a-form, respectively. In resting cockroaches most of the phosphorylase activity residues in the b-form and only a small fraction (10%) in the a-form, whereas between 26% (N. cinerea) and 35% (P. americana) occurs in the ab-form. Injection of endogenous hypertrehalosaemic peptides into N. cinerae (the decapeptide Bld-HrTH) or P. americana (the two octapeptides Pea-CAH-I and II) causes interconversion of phosphorylase; after injection, mainly (60%) phosphorylase a is present, while 25% and 15% exists in the ab- und b-form, respectively. Purification of the three phosphorylase forms from N. cinerea is achieved by anion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel followed by affinity chromatography on AMP-Sepharose. The final specific activities are 2.1, 6.9 and 27.2 U/mg protein for the a-, ab- und b-form. The molecular mass of the active molecules on gel filtration is between 173,000 and 177,000, and SDS gel electrophoresis reveals a subunit mass of 87,100, suggesting a homodimeric structure for all three forms. Kinetic studies show hyperbolic saturation curves for the substrates glycogen and Pi, respectively, with KM-values of 0.021, 0.019 and 0.073% for glycogen and 8.3, 6.3 and 17.9 mM for Pi (a-, ab- and b-form). Phosphorylase a exhibits a more or less hyperbolic response to AMP and needs 70 microM AMP for maximal stimulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2004

Wasp manipulates cockroach behavior by injecting venom cocktail into prey central nervous system.

The parasitoid wasp Ampulex compressa induces behavioral changes in the cockroach prey by injecting venom into its central nervous system. In contrast to most other venomous predators, the wasp's sting does not induce paralysis. Rather, the two consecutive stings in the thoracic and head ganglia induce three stereotypic behavioral effects. The prey behavior is manipulated in a way beneficial to the wasp and its offspring by providing a living meal for its newborn larva. The first sting in the thorax causes a transient front leg paralysis lasting a few minutes. This paralysis prevents the cockroach from fighting with its front legs, thereby facilitating the second sting in the head. A postsynaptic block of central synaptic transmission mediates this leg paralysis. Following the head sting, dopamine identified in the venom induces 30 minutes of intense grooming that appears to prevent the cockroach from straying until the last and third behavioral effect of hypokinesia commences. In this lethargic state that lasts about three weeks, the cockroach does not respond to various stimuli nor does it initiates movement. However, other specific behaviors of the prey are unaffected. We propose that the venom represses the activity of head ganglia neurons thereby removing the descending excitatory drive to specific thoracic neurons.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2000

In vivo study on combined toxicity of Metarhizium anisopliae (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes) strain ESC-1 with sublethal doses of chlorpyrifos, propetamphos, and cyfluthrin against German cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae).

The effect of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin strain ESC-1 alone and in combination with sublethal doses of commercial formulations of chlorpyrifos, propetamphos and cyfluthrin on mortality of CSMA strain of German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.), was determined by conducting in vivo studies that included 3 bioassays. Spores of M. anisopliae cultured on SDAY media had germination of >90%. Based on bioassay 1, doses ranging from 0.5 to 300 ppm of chlorpyrifos and propetamphos, and 0.05 to 40 ppm of cyfluthrin were selected for bioassays 2 and 3. Cockroach mortality ranged from 5 to 20% for insecticides alone and 48 to 70% for insecticides + M. anisopliae in bioassay 2. In bioassay 3, mortality ranged from 15 to 60% for insecticides and 57.5 to 92.5% for insecticides + M. anisopliae. Percentage of cockroach mortality resulting from insecticide + M. anisopliae combinations was significantly higher than insecticide alone. Mortality was also significantly higher in certain insecticide + M. anisopliae combinations than M. anisopliae alone. There was no significant interaction between M. anisopliae and insecticides with their concentrations in bioassay 2, indicating an additive effect. But in bioassay 3, a significant interaction was observed when M. anisopliae was combined with multiple insecticide concentrations. The interaction indicated an additive effect for chlorpyrifos and cyfluthrin, and a synergistic effect for propetamphos. There were significant differences in LT50 among various treatment combinations. M. anisopliae alone or insecticide + M. anisopliae combinations did not affect body weight in treated German cockroaches.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Recombinant allergens for diagnosis and immunotherapy of allergic disorders, with emphasis on cockroach allergy.

The prevalence of allergic disorders has increased over the past few decades and the quality of life has been significantly influenced at least for the allergic subjects. Allergen avoidance is thought to be the best way of preventing clinical manifestation of the disease, however, it is not possible for some allergens, and other pharmacological and/or immunological treatment has to be made. Repetitive injection of sensitized allergens to the patients (immunotherapy) is the only known curative approach to the disease even though the exact mechanism is not clear to date. Crude extract of allergens has lots of shortcomings which might arouse unexpected results. Genetic engineering and recombinant allergens are thought to be one of the alternative ways to overcome these limitations. Genetic engineering could facilitate the investigation of immune responses of the subjects especially on B cell and T cell epitopes, and produce the therapeutic allergens which might minimize the possible side effects. Furthermore, conjugation of immuno-modulatory molecules such as CpG-ODN, cytokines, or toxins which could act specifically to the given allergens, and maleylation of the allergens could maximize the prophylactic or therapeutic effect. Immunotherapies for the pollen allergy and insect sting allergy have been thought to be successful. House dust mite allergy and cockroach allergy have been reported less beneficial by immunotherapeutic approaches. Cockroaches are one of the most important causes of asthma, and severe complications are often reported in the children in city dwellers with low-incomes. The studies of the biological functions of cockroach allergens and the use of recombinant allergens should allow understanding of mechanisms of cockroach-elicited allergic disorders and development of allergen-specific and sensitive diagnostics and tailored therapeutic approaches in the future.

Allergens↗
PubMed1975

Action site of antagonists of vitamin B6 in the central nervous system of the frogs and cockroaches.

Susceptibility to some antagonists of vitamin B6 was studied in frogs and cockroaches after operational intervention in their central nervous systems, and also in the intack frogs and cockroaches. Thiosemicarbazide, semicarbazide, isoniazide and penicillamine induced wild jumping behavior, and tonic or clonic convulsions in frogs, when the nervous parts posterior to the optic lobe inclusive remained intact. In frog, in which the nervous parts anterior to the diencephalon inclusive had been removed, no convulsions were induced by castrix or 4-deoxypyridoxine in large doses. In cockroaches excessive fluttering of wings and convulsions upon administration of thiosemicarbazide following severance of the central nerve cord between the subesophageal and prothoracic ganglions were induced. Castrix was not a convulsant in the intact frogs and cockroaches.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Low prevalence of allergy to cockroach and latex in asthmatic patients in Eskisehir (Anatolia), Turkey.

Allergy to cockroach and latex are said to be causes of asthma particularly in some groups. We studied allergy to cockroach and latex in asthmatic patients from Eskisehir (Anatolia), Turkey in order to determine whether these allergens play an important role in the Anatolian region. A total of 216 asthmatic patients (mean age 43.7+/-11.0 years) were skin tested with common aeroallergens, Blatella germanica and latex. Sixty-three patients were allergic (29.1%) and 153 were nonallergic (70.8%) according to skin test results. Sensitization to pollens (57%) and mites (55.5%) was most common among allergic patients. We found a low sensitization to cockroach (4.7%) and latex (1.4%). We suggested that cockroach sensitization plays a small role in sensitization in our geographic area and that latex sensitization is low in allergic asthmatic patients who were referred for reasons other than latex-related symptoms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

[Allergic rhinitis: evaluation of prick test positivity for German and American cockroaches (Blatella Germanica, Periplaneta Americana)].

Allergies are a widespread phenomenon and one that is in continuous expansion, especially in large cities. A heretofore underestimated allergen, at least in Italy, is the cockroach. Between April and June 2000, we administered a prick test (including the cockroach antigen in the allergen kit) to 163 patients. The prick test was executed utilizing histamine as the positive control and a normal diluent as the negative control; both indoor allergens (including dermatophagoids and dog and cat epithelium) and outdoor allergens (including trees, grasses, pollens and spores) were employed. The results obtained were evaluated by comparing the reaction provoked by these allergens to that of the histamine. About 20% of the patients who reacted to the other indoor allergens also tested positive to the cockroach antigen. Also on the basis of experiences previously carried out in other countries (United States, Korea, Japan, Turkey), the cockroach must be borne in mind as a possible significant cause of allergic reactions in Italy, too.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Efficacy of Fipronil and Propoxur in the control of German cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Blatellidae).

A field trial for comparative evaluation of chemicals Fipronil gel, Propoxur spray and bait was carried out. The results in the Fipronil treated area indicate a reduction of 89%, 100% and 98% in cockroach infestation by days 7, 30 and 60, whereas the reduction in Propoxur spray treated area during the same period was 88%, 91% and 87% respectively. Propoxur bait was not found to be effective in reducing the cockroach infestation; rather a build up of the cockroach infestation was noticed in the treated site. The study reports the efficacy of Fipronil gel treatment over conventional insecticidal formulations in the control of cockroach infestation in cookhouses of urban households.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Survey of indoor cockroaches in some dwellings in Bangkok.

This study aimed to investigate the species distribution of indoor cockroaches in dwellings in Bangkok. Commercial sticky traps were used to catch cockroaches in 128 private residences (40 single houses, 49 townhouses, 39 apartments), 34 offices, and 30 small groceries. The cockroaches were identified as Periplaneta americana, Supella longipalpa, Blattella germanica, Neostylopyga rhombifolia, P. brunnea, P. australasiae, Pycnoscelus surinamensis, and B. lituricallis; two were unidentified species. The most common species were P. americana, S. longipalpa and B. germanica--most of which were nymphal stages. P. americana and S. longipalpa infested all kinds of buildings, especially private residences (50.0% and 17.2%, respectively) and offices (61.8% and 58.8%, respectively); they were also found mostly (15.1%) in mixed infestation and with no predominant species. B. germanica (26.7%) were significantly predominant in groceries. Air conditioners have no influence on cockroach distribution.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

[The specific IgE responses to three cockroach strains antigens in patients with asthma].

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to determine the cross-reactive allergens from three strains of cockroach (Periplaneta americana, Periplaneta fuliginosa and Blattella germanica) by human serum specific IgE (sIgE) in allergic asthma. METHODS: The allergens were extracted from Periplaneta americana, Periplaneta fuliginosa and Blattella germanica respectively. Serum sIgE of allergic asthma was determined with ELISA. RESULTS: The sIgE positive rates to Periplaneta americana, Periplaneta fuliginosa and Blattella germanica were 23.5%, 16.0% and 14.0% respectively. The reactive coincidence rate between Periplaneta americana and Periplaneta fuliginosa was 74.0%. The reactive coincidence rate between Periplaneta americana and Blattella germanica was 73.5%. The reactive coincidence rate between Periplaneta fuliginosa and Blattella germanica was 85.0%. The sIgE positive rates of the head and the body of Periplaneta americana were 17.5% and 14.5% respectively. The sIgE positive rates of the head and the body of Periplaneta fuliginosa were 12.5% and 10.5% respectively. The reactive coincidence rate between head and body of Periplaneta americana was 86.0%. The reactive coincidence rate between head and body of Periplaneta fuliginosa was 88.0%. There were some cross-inhibition among the three strains of cockroach according to ELISA cross-inhibition test. CONCLUSION: Cockroach is one of the main allergens which cause allergic asthma. There exists significant cross-reactive allergic components in the three strains of cockroach and between the head and the body of Periplaneta fuliginosa and Periplaneta americana.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Role of cockroaches in allergy to house dust in Calcutta, India.

Prick skin tests on 200 patients with a history of sensitivity to dust were done against house dust, cockroach, D. pteronyssinus, and D. farinae antigenic extracts. The frequency of positive reaction was 35% to cockroach, 59% to house dust, 84.7% to D. farinae, and 54% to D. pteronyssinus. Distinctively different prevalence of the three antigens, cockroach, house dust, and mites suggest that cockroach antigen is a specific antigen independent from house dust and mite antigens.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[The cockroach as a vector of pathogenic agents].

Cockroaches are arthropod transmitters of disease, acting both as mechanical vectors and as reservoirs of pathogenic agents. It has been shown that cockroaches harbor and transmit, both in nature and under experimental conditions, about 40 species of bacteria, including at least 25 from the Enterobacteriaceae group that cause gastroenteritis in man. In addition, it has been established that these insects are intermediate hosts of pathogenic helminths, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. It is possible that cockroaches contribute to the transmission of Chagas' disease by feeding on triatomine vectors of that disease. There also are signs that substances produced by cockroaches are involved in certain allergic processes. The foregoing facts are sufficient to justify the immediate control and eradication of these insects whenever and wherever they constitute a threat to public health.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Cockroaches as vectors of Sarcocystis muris and of other coccidia in the laboratory.

To assess the roles of the German cockroach (Blatella germanica) and the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) in the transmission of Sarcocystis muris and of 3 other coccidia of cats-Toxoplasma gondii, Isospora felis, and Isospora rivolta, cockroaches exposed to feces containing these coccidia were periodically fed to mice, as was a portion of the fecal matter. Sarcocystis muris sporocysts, which in feces remained infectious for at least 20 days, were also transmitted to mice by P. americana for at least 20 days and by B. germanica for 5 days after exposure to infectious feces. Toxoplasma gondii oocysts were transmitted by P. americana intermittently up to 10 days, but by B. germanica only immediately after exposure to feces. Oocysts of 2 species of Isospora, when associated with fecal matter, remained infectious for 20 days. Those of I. rivolta were transmitted by both cockroach species for 10 days, but I. felis was transmitted only by by B. germanica, and for only 2 days.

Animals↗