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PubMedDate not supplied

Allergy to cockroach antigens in asthmatic patients.

Cockroach allergy was investigated in a group of 56 patients with atopic bronchial asthma (37 men and 19 women with ages ranging from 16 to 65) all allergic to house dust antigen. In all patients, both intracutaneous tests and bronchial provocation tests were performed with cockroach antigen prepared from the species most common in Poland, Blattella germanica and Blatta orientalis. Positive skin reactions to cockroach antigen were found in 17 patients while an immediate bronchoconstrictive response was noted in 11. In the authors opinion, cockroach antigens may be partly responsible for the antigenic properties of house dust and may play a causative role in some cases of atopic asthma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Comparative repellent properties of certain chemicals against mosquitoes, house flies and cockroaches using modified techniques.

Several terpenoids were assessed for their repellent/toxic properties against mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti), house flies (Musca domestica) and cockroaches (Periplaneta americana). Impregnated wide mesh netting was used in the case of the Dipterans, while treated filtered paper was employed for the bioassays with cockroaches. Persistence of the repellent chemicals was studied. Doses ranged from 5-20 gm/M2 for the Dipterans and 25-100 mg per 4 x 4 cm filter paper for the cockroaches. Dimethyl phthalate (DMP) offered the maximum protection of the chemicals tested against mosquitoes but was not so effective against house flies and cockroaches. Citral and Eugenol were effective against all the three test insects. Other test compounds afforded varying degrees of protection. Application strategy and utility of the findings are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

[A complex large scale cockroach control model. I. Organization].

The modern human living conditions are said to prospect to new ways of spreading cockroaches. Thus, the control measures applied nowadays are practically ineffective. Accordingly, the following control strategy is recommended, consisting in of: 1. The time range needed for performing the control procedures is to be determined; 2. The competent leading organs of the Civil Service and those of the national economy responsible for a correct performance of control procedures should be determined; 3. The involvement in the control procedures of people working in establishments harbouring cockroaches should be guaranteed; 4. It regulates the introduction of control measures and procedures. Such a control system based on an experience gained in the district of Potsdam (GDR) will be proposed as a "complex largespace control of cockroaches". The conception of a pattern of the modern control methods of cockroaches is based on principles of the scientific labour organization.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

The mechanism and modes of inhibition of arginine kinase from the cockroach (Periplaneta americana).

The kinetic mechanism and evaluation of several potential inhibitors of purified arginine kinase from the cockroach (Periplanta americana) were investigated. This monomeric phosphagen kinase is important in maintaining ATP levels during the rapid energy demands of muscle required for contraction and motility. Analysis reveals the following dissociation constants (mM) for the binary complex: E.Arg P-->E+Arg P, K=1.0; E.Arg-->E+Arg, K=0.45; E.MgATP-->E+MgATP, K=0.17; E.MgADP-->E+MgADP, K=0.12; and the ternary complex: Arg P.E.MgADP-->E.MgADP+Arg P, K=0.94; Arg.E.MgATP-->E.MgATP+Arg, K=0.49; MgATP.Enz.Arg-->E.Arg+MgATP, K=0.14; MgADP.E.Arg P-->E.Arg P+MgADP, K=0.09. For a particular substrate, the ratio of the dissociation constants for the binary to ternary complex is close to one, indicating little, if any, cooperativity in substrate binding for the rapid equilibrium, random addition mechanism. The time course of the arginine kinase reaction exhibits a pronounced curvature, which, as described for enzyme from other sources, is attributed to formation of an inhibitory catalytic dead-end complex, MgADP.E.Arg. The curvature is accentuated by the addition of monovalent anions, including borate, thiocyanate, and, most notably, nitrite and nitrate. This effect is attributed to stabilization of the dead-end complex through formation of a transition state analog. However, the substantial decrease in initial velocity (92%) caused by nitrate is due to an additional inhibitory effect, further characterized as non-competitive inhibition (Ki=8.0 mM) with the substrate L-arginine. On the other hand, borate inhibition of the initial velocity is only 30% with significant subsequent curvature, suggesting that this anion functions as an inhibitor mainly by formation of a transition state analog. However, some component of the borate inhibition appears to be mediated by an apparent partial competitive inhibition with L-arginine. D-arginine is not a substrate for arginine kinase from the cockroach, but is an effective competitive inhibitor with a Ki=0.31 mM. L-Canavanine is a weak substrate for arginine kinase (Km=6.7 mM) with a Vmax for the pure enzyme that is approximately one-third that of L-arginine. However, initial velocity experiments of substrate mixtures suggest that competition between L-canavanine and L-arginine may not be a simple summation effect and may involve a structural modification. Sensitivity of arginine kinase activity to D-arginine as well as nitrate and borate anions, coupled with the fact that L-arginine is an essential amino acid for the cockroach, suggest that arginine kinase could be a useful chemotherapeutic target for the control of cockroach proliferation.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Periviscerokinins in cockroaches: release, localization, and taxon-specific action on the hyperneural muscle.

The periviscerokinins of Periplaneta americana (Pea-PVKs) were the first neuropeptides directly isolated from perisympathetic organs (PSOs), neurohemal swellings of the transverse and median nerves of insects. It has been demonstrated that Pea-PVK-1 release can be induced from the abdominal PSOs of P. americana by in vitro depolarization. A myotropic effect of Pea-PVK-1 on the hyperneural muscle is restricted to blattid cockroaches, whereas proctolin induces contractions of this muscle in all cockroach species investigated. The location and morphology of Pea-PVK-1-like immunoreactive neurons in species of different cockroach taxa are very similar to those previously described for P. americana. Pea-PVK-1-like immunoreactivity is restricted to cells of the abdominal ganglia which constitute a neurohemal system and project via the median nerve to the abdominal PSOs. Despite interspecific differences in the topography of the transverse nerves of the terminal ganglion, Pea-PVK-1-like immunoreactive fibers always innervate transversal nerves VII and VIII of the terminal ganglion. The results suggest that PVKs act as neurohormones throughout the cockroaches, although they may have different effect(s) depending on the species.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Host Specificity of Gregarina blattarum von Siebold, 1839 (Apicomplexa: Eugregarinida) among Five Species of Domiciliary Cockroaches

The host specificity of Gregarina blattarum was evaluated among five species of domiciliary cockroaches: Blatella germanica, Supella longipalpa, Blatta orientalis, Periplaneta americana, and Periplaneta fuliginosa. Third- and fourth-instar nymphs were allowed to feed on crushed dog kibble contaminated with G. blattarum oocysts. Cockroaches were killed 8 days postinfection and examined for parasites. Gregarina blattarum infections were observed in all experimentally infected replications of B. germanica. No infection was observed in an experimentally infected replication of S. longipalpa, B. orientalis, P. americana, or P. fuliginosa, nor was an infection observed in a time zero or ending time control group. In vitro excystation assays using extracts of host gut homogenates demonstrate that G. blattarum sporozoites successfully excyst and begin the life cycle in all five cockroach species tested. No excystation was observed in neutral buffered saline controls. These data suggest that G. blattarum comprises a complex of cryptic species marked by narrow host utilization rather than a single species parasitizing a broad array of cockroach taxa.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

The role of antennal hair plates in object-guided tactile orientation of the cockroach (Periplaneta americana).

The searching behavior of blinded cockroaches was examined under unrestrained conditions, in an arena, and on a treadmill. When cockroaches searching in a circular arena touched a stationary object (metal pole) with their antennae, they frequently approached the object more closely, and then climbed up it. Similar orientation behavior was observed in tethered animals in open loop conditions, walking on a Styrofoam ball. In these restrained cockroaches, a single antenna sufficed to distinguish the angular positions of an object, in the horizontal plane (0 degrees, 45 degrees, and 90 degrees). A group of mechanosensitive hairs on the basal segment of the antenna (scapal hair plate) appears to play a major role in antennal object detection in the horizontal plane, as gauged by shaving off these scapal hair plates. In unrestrained cockroaches, shaving the scapal hair plate increased the time needed to approach an object. Under tethered conditions, the ability to turn towards and to establish antennal contact with a test object was significantly impaired.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Water relations of the freeze-tolerant New Zealand alpine cockroach Celatoblatta quinquemaculata (Dictyoptera: Blattidae).

Celatoblatta quinquemaculata is a freeze-tolerant alpine cockroach found on the Rock and Pillar Range, Central Otago, New Zealand. This study investigated seasonal changes in water content, as well as desiccation tolerance, and the relationship between desiccation and cold tolerance. Whole body water contents from field-fresh cockroaches collected over a 20 month period ranged from 69.9+/-1.0% fresh weight (FW) in February 1998 to 60.3+/-1.1% FW in July 1998. Water contents were significantly lower in winter than summer, and were positively correlated to microhabitat temperatures over the week preceding collection. Cockroaches survived the loss of up to 82% (mean: 56.7%+/-10.2) of their initial body water content, and the amount of water loss sustained was not dependent on the rate of water loss. Cockroaches did not suffer further mortality due to desiccation after removal to 99% relative humidity, but only regained lost water if given access to liquid water. Experimental dehydration did not enhance freeze-tolerance, but did slightly lower the supercooling point. It is concluded that reduction of body water content in winter may be a consequence of cold hardening responses, but desiccation does not constitute the cold hardening mechanism itself.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Distribution of sulfakinin-like peptides in the central and sympathetic nervous system of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.) and the field cricket, Teleogryllus commodus (Walker).

We describe the distribution of sulfakinin-like neuropeptides in the central and sympathetic nervous system of the American cockroach Periplaneta americana (L.) (Blattodea) and the field cricket Teleogryllus commodus (Walker) (Othoptera), using an antisulfakinin primary antibody and confocal laser scanning microscopy. We conclude that, in the cockroach, sulfakinin-like material is produced in ten pairs of anterior cells in the pars intercerebralis, as well as two pairs of medial and one major pair of lateral posterior brain cells. This contrasts with findings in other insects, including the cricket, where only the posterior cell groups express sulfakinin-immunoreactive material. Extensive arborization of dendrites containing sulfakinin-like peptides occurs within the neuropile of both species, suggesting a neurotransmitter/neuromodulator function. In the cockroach, there is clear evidence of direct distribution of sulfakinin-like peptides along axons to the foregut tissue, and a plexus of retrocerebral nerves is likely to serve as a neurohaemal release site. Neurohaemal release into the dorsal aorta is also postulated. Sulfakinin-immunoreactive axons do not innervate the hindgut in either cockroaches or crickets. Sulfakinin may function as a gut myotropin in the Blattodea, in addition to functioning as a neurotransmitter within the central nervous system. This latter function appears to be general across insect orders, while the neurohaemal distribution and myotropic activity are restricted to the Blattodea.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Isolation and preliminary characterization of cDNA encoding American cockroach allergens.

BACKGROUND: Two prominent proteins of 78 and 72 kd in Cr-PI have been found to be the major allergens of American cockroach (Periplaneta americana). METHODS: A lambda gt22A cDNA library generated from messenger RNA of American cockroach was packaged into Escherichia coli Y1090(r-) and initially screened with rabbit polyclonal antiserum raised to crude extract of American cockroach (CRa-A). RESULTS: Twenty-nine anti-CRa-A-positive clones were isolated, and 11 clones were recognized by rabbit anti-Cr-PI and reactive with IgE antibodies of atopic serum pool. Among these 11 clones, eight were recognized by murine anti-Cr-PI monoclonal antibodies. Four clones (C7, C8, C12, and C29) were found to contain inserts of 2.6 kilobases (kb), and clones C5 and C20 were found to contain inserts of 2.4 kb. The remaining clones (C13, C23, C25, C28, and C35) were found to contain inserts of 1.8, 1.6, 2.5, 1.7, and 0.9 kb, respectively. Clones C12, C20, C13, and C28 were selected, subcloned into the expression pET vectors, and used to transform, E. coli BL21(DE3). Immunoblot analyses of clones C12, C20, C13, and C28 with anti-Cr-PI monoclonal antibodies revealed fusion proteins with molecular weights of 78 and 50 kd, and 43 kd, 54 kd, and 46 kd, respectively. However, among those fusion proteins only those with molecular weights of 78, 72, 54, and 46 kd were able to bind human specific IgE antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: The cDNA clones are expected to code for the major and principal allergens of American cockroach, and recombinant allergens may therefore be valuable for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Allergens↗
PubMed2000

Expression of the American cockroach Per a 1 allergen in mammalian cells.

BACKGROUND: Cockroach allergens are one of the major etiologic risk factors for developing IgE-mediated allergic respiratory illness throughout the world. Per a 1 is a cross-reactive allergen of American and German cockroaches. This study aimed to investigate the expression of a recombinant American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) Per a 1, C42, allergen in mammalian COS-1 cells. METHODS: The COS-1 cells and Escherichia coli were used to express the P. americana C42 allergen. Recombinant proteins were purified with hydroxylapatite and DE52 chromatography. Biologic reactivities of recombinant proteins were examined by direct IgE binding and IgE inhibition studies with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: C42 was successfully expressed in the mammalian COS-1 cell as a 50-kDa secreted protein, and purified from the culture medium. The specific human IgE antibodies against recombinant C42 from either E. coli (C42-E. coli) or COS-1 (C42-COS-1) were compared by ELISA with 12 sera from Per a 1 and C42 skin-test-positive patients. All atopic sera contained specific IgE antibodies to C42 from either E. coli or COS-1. Moreover, recombinant C42-COS-1 bound higher levels of serum IgE than recombinant C42-E. coli among C42-sensitive atopic patients, and a statistically significant difference (P<0.01) was found between them. In addition, recombinant C42-COS-1 as an inhibitor revealed higher inhibition of IgE binding to natural Per a 1 than recombinant C42-E. coli. CONCLUSIONS: The biologically highly reactive recombinant C42 produced in the COS-1 cell provides an alternative expression system and will facilitate studies on the immune response of asthma patients to cockroach allergens.

Allergens↗
PubMed2000

Analysis of intraspecies polymorphism in the ribosomal DNA cluster of the cockroach Blattella germanica.

HindIII restriction digests of the rDNA repeat unit of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica, reveal significant intraspecies sequence polymorphism. This variability is probably caused by structural differences within the nontranscribed spacer regions (NTS) of the ribosomal repeat unit. HindIII rDNA fragment polymorphisms in three cockroach strains show that individuals from different populations may have different HindIII rDNA patterns, whereas individuals within populations exhibit relatively similar rDNA patterns. We suggest that HindIII restriction fragment polymorphisms within cockroach ribosomal DNA will be a valuable tool for measuring population-level parameters within and between natural cockroach populations.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Sequencing analysis of cDNA clones encoding the American cockroach Cr-PI allergens. Homology with insect hemolymph proteins.

A previous article described the isolation of several lambdagt22A cDNA clones expressing the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) Cr-PI allergens recognized by both human atopic IgE antibodies and anti-Cr-PI monoclonal antibodies (Wu, C. H., Lee, M. F., and Liao, S. C.(1995) J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 96, 352-359). This article presents the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of two cDNA clones encoding major allergens of P. americana. Clones C12 and C20 encode proteins of 685 and 631 amino acids with two potential N-glycosylation sites each. The predicted molecular weights for C12 and C20 cloned proteins are 79,300 and 75, 500 with isoelectric point values of 6.26 and 6.63, which are compatible with the determined sizes (Mr 78,000 and 72,000) and isoelectric point value (6.2) of the Cr-PI allergens of P. americana. A high degree of identity (69.1%), including several overlapped predicted central antigenic determinant residues, was found between two allergens. The anti-fusion protein antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was able to detect crude American cockroach extract, Cr-PI, recombinant proteins, and commercial cockroach extracts, which provides further evidence that two allergens share common antigen determinants. Recombinant allergens of clones C12 and C20 both showed 47.4% skin reactivities on 19 cockroach-sensitive asthmatic patients. Unexpectedly, although no sequence similarity was found to other known allergens, two aromatic amino acid-rich allergens were found to have a striking sequence identity to insect storage proteins (20.1-33.9%), insect juvenile hormone-suppressible proteins (30.9-36.4%), and arthropod hemocyanins (29.7-34.6%). Results suggested that two prominent allergens of P. americana are ancestrally related to these insect hemolymph proteins and represent a new group of proteins in the hemocyanin superfamily. These data will now facilitate epitope-mapping studies, and the recombinant allergens may be valuable for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Boric acid dust as a component of an integrated cockroach management program in confined swine production.

Boric acid dust treatments were evaluated as a tool for the integrated management of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.), in commercial confined swine production. The efficacy of boric acid dust was comparable to that of an organic residual insecticide, cyfluthrin, which is commonly used to control cockroaches in this environment. Fall treatments suppressed the cockroach population for longer durations than treatments in the Spring. Boric acid dust is an effective, inexpensive, and low risk (to animal and human health, and the environment) alternative for the management of cockroaches in livestock production systems.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Exploitation of home range and spatial distribution of resources in German cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae).

We analyzed the expression of edge following behavior in German cockroaches, Blattella germanica (L.). Structure of the environment and spatial distribution of resources modified both expression of locomotory behavior of cockroaches and its distribution between the edge and the central area of an experimental arena. When they are in a familiar environment, German cockroaches are definitely not edge followers and they exploit similarly the different parts of the accessible surface of their home range. Cockroaches placed in a new environment tended to follow edges more than undisturbed insects. This modification could be assimilated to a response to stressful conditions.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Control of American cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Blattidae) in sewers.

Baits, dusts, and aqueous sprays were applied to sewer shafts to control American cockroaches, Periplaneta americana (L). Boric acid and hydramethylnon baits failed to provide consistent control because of problems with mold on the baits and because large populations of cockroaches depleted the bait. Bendiocarb, boric acid powder, and a powder mixture of silica gel + synergized pyrethrins provided excellent control for at least 1 mo, but cockroaches reinfested treated shafts within 3-6 mo. Treatments made in the fall when adult cockroach populations were lowest (about 26%) provided best results. Aqueous sprays of wettable powder chlorpyrifos and microencapsulated diazinon provided outstanding control for at least 9 mo. Microencapsulated and emulsifiable concentrate chlorpyrifos sprays provided greater than 94% reductions for a year.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

24-h variation of vigilance in the cockroach Blaberus giganteus.

Our objective was to investigate whether sleep-like states occur in the cockroach, Blaberus giganteus by applying the methods formerly used for another cockroach species, Leucophaea maderae and the scorpions, Heterometrus and Pandinus. The behaviour of isolated animals (n = 10) kept under LD 12:12 h was recorded by time-lapse video for three consecutive 24-h periods. Nine behavioural states were scored for 1-min real-time epochs. Rest was subdivided into 4 sub-states on the basis of body posture and the position of the antennae. The cockroaches showed a nocturnal behaviour exhibiting a bout of locomotion at dark onset which lasted several hours, and a preference for rest in the light period. Immobility with both the body and the antennae touching the substrate (state 1) was the predominating state in the light period. In order to establish whether the sub-states of rest represented different levels of vigilance the arousal threshold was measured by determining the latency of a behavioural response to a vibration stimulus. The levels of arousal differed significantly in four behavioural states in the light period but not in the dark period. In state 1 the animals exhibited the lowest arousal whereas in the activity states arousal was the highest. The state with the highest arousal threshold occurred in the beginning of the light period. Thereafter, arousal progressively increased and remained relatively high during the dark period. The effect of 6-h deprivation of rest by the gentle shaking of the cages whenever the animals were immobile, resulted in a reduced latency to state 1, a small increase of state 1 and a more prominent initial increase of activity during recovery. In conclusion, this study provides evidence for the existence of a 24-h variation of vigilance in the cockroach. It further indicates that a 'rest deficit' gives rise to a compensatory response. The data support the notion that sleep-like states are present in these insects.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Cockroaches as carriers of fungi of medical importance.

The fungal pathogenic flora of the external surface of 103 cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) collected from the intensive care unit of a hospital were investigated. In this study, a high percentage of test cockroaches (93.2%) were found to carry fungi of medical importance. The main fungi isolated were species of Candida, Aspergillus and Penicillium. Information about the carriage of pathogenic fungi by cockroaches in hospital environment is scanty. The results suggest that cockroaches can play a role in dissemination of fungi, which they can carry on their external surface.

Animals↗