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 379 records · Page 21Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Primary structures of hypertrehalosaemic neuropeptides isolated from the corpora cardiaca of the cockroaches Leucophaea maderae, Gromphadorhina portentosa, Blattella germanica and Blatta orientalis and of the stick insect Extatosoma tiaratum assigned by tandem fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry.

Hypertrehalosaemic peptides were isolated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography from corpora cardiaca of four species of cockroaches (Leucophaea maderae, Gromphadorhina portentosa, Blattella germanica, and Blatta orientalis) and one stick insect species (Extatosoma tiaratum), and their primary sequences were assigned by collision-induced decomposition tandem fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FABMS/CID/MS). The members of the cockroach families Blaberidae (L. maderae and G. portentosa) and Blattellidae (B. germanica) contained an identical decapeptide (Glu-Val-Asn-Phe-Ser-Pro-Gly-Trp-Gly-ThrNH2), whereas the member of the cockroach family Blattidae (B. orientalis) had two octapeptides (Glu-Val-Asn-Phe-Ser-Pro-Asn-TrpNH2 and Glu-Leu-Thr-Phe-Thr-Pro-Asn-TrpNH2). The structure of the stick insect hypertrehalosaemic compound was assigned as a decapeptide (Glu-Leu-Thr-Phe-Thr-Pro-Asn-Trp-Gly-ThrNH2). The respective synthetic peptides elevated blood carbohydrates in their respective acceptor species. The results are discussed in the light of family-specificity of members of the adipokinetic hormone/red pigment-concentrating hormone family.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1977

Cockroach molting. II. The nature of regeneration-induced delay of molting hormone secretion.

1. The amount of regenerating limb tissue does not control the length of molting delay in cockroaches; rather, a programmed delay associated with each autotomy level and segment allows an appropriate delay for accomplishing the necessary regeneration. 2. Delay of molting is accomplished by inhibiting ecdysiotropin release. 3. Each regenerating limb produces a delay independent of other regenerating limbs. 4. Single and simultaneous double autotomies can be used to obtain substantially increased synchrony of the molting cycle of a wide variety of cockroach species. 5. The signal to delay molting is transmitted to the brain along the ventral nerve cord and requires the stereotyped sensory input associated with autotomy to initiate it. 6. There are two phases of ecdysone titer increase during the molting cycle of cockroaches. An early transitory or gradual increase is associated with the regeneration critical period, while a later major peak is associated with apolysis. The major ecdysone peak was shown to be delayed during leg regeneration.

Amputation, Surgical↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Protease activity in cockroach and basidiomycete allergen extracts.

Inherent proteolytic activity was estimated in cockroach and basidiomycete extracts by quantifying acid soluble peptides that were released by incubating extracts with 1% bovine serum albumin as measured by Lowry (Sigma). Reference proteases released 740 (Proteinase K, 0.1 U), 248 (Trypsin, 1.0 U), and 533 micrograms/ml (Pronase, 0.5 U) of soluble peptides. American whole body cockroach extract (0.1 mg dry weight) released 330 micrograms/ml of soluble peptides, representing 13 trypsin equivalent units (TEU)/mg. Extracts from spores of the mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus released 230 micrograms/ml (0.9 TEU/mg) and Pleurotus cap extract released 112 micrograms/ml (0.5 TEU/mg). Mycelium of Pleurotus and the mushroom Psilocybe cubensis and spores of Psilocybe and the puffball Calvatia cyathiformis showed negligible amounts of proteolytic activity. The protease inhibitor phenylmethylsulfonyl flouride reduced the proteolytic activity of American whole body cockroach extract by 80% (@1 mM) and the inhibitor ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid inhibited the proteolytic activity of Pleurotus spores by 95% (@1 mM). Loss of allergen activity as determined by RAST inhibition and immunoprinting correlated with protease activity. Thus, in the preparation and handling of allergen extracts, one should employ conditions that minimize proteolysis.

Agaricales↗
PubMed1999

Identification and purification of IgE-reactive proteins in German cockroach extract.

Cockroaches have been implicated as a cause of respiratory allergy in urban areas worldwide. IgE-reactive German cockroach proteins were identified with molecular weights (MWs) of 90, 66, 50, 43 and 36 KD by immunoblot analysis in both immune BALB/c mice and sensitized humans. Prominent IgE-reactive proteins were purified using FPLC by ion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration and hydrophobic chromatography. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of a purified protein with a MW of 66 KD on SDS-PAGE was Val-Thr-Leu-Lys-Lys(Val)-Met-Ile-Lys-Thr-Phe-Tyr. No homologous protein was found through a search of GenBank that indicated a novel IgE-reactive protein in German cockroach extract. Another purified protein with a MW of 36 KD reacted strongly with a monoclonal antibody against Bla g 2.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[An allergen from Blattella germanica cockroaches and its immunological properties].

The optimum method for obtaining allergenic preparation with high specific activity and stable physico-chemical characteristics from cockroaches of the species B. germanica was developed. The quantitative content of cockroach allergens Bla g1 and Bla g2 was determined in experimental batches. The age structure of sensitization to cockroaches in 124 bronchial asthma patients (50 adults and 74 children) was studied. Specific IgE antibodies to B. germanica were detected in 34% of the examined adults and 63.5% of the children.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Studies of the infection of the cockroaches (Blattella germanica[L.]) with Bac. thuringensis.

The results of an experimental infection of the cockroaches Blattella germanica (L.) with some trade preparations containing Bac. thuringensis spores are presented. Biological studies supported by bacteriological and histological examinations of the excised intestines of the above insects have shown that the microorganisms studied are pathogenic for the cockroaches. This effect might be eventually applied as a biological method of eradication of the cockroaches in such environments, where chemical preparations can not be used or this disinfestation method would be complementary to the other method of disinfestation.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Isolation of gram-negative bacteria from cockroaches trapped from urban environment.

Three different areas--hospital, food-handling establishments and human dwellings, were surveyed for pathogenic gram-negative bacteria carried on the cuticles of cockroaches. Fifty species of bacteria were identified from all cockroaches. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter freundii and Enterobacter cloacae were the most frequently found. Pathogenic and potentially pathogenic bacteria represented 58% of all bacteria identified. The numbers of pathogenic and potentially pathogenic bacteria were similar in hospital areas and food-handling establishments, while, human dwellings possessed a poorer bacterial flora. E. coli, K. pneumoniae and E. cloacae were dominant species in hospital areas, while in food-handling establishments and human dwellings, E. coli, K. pneumoniae and C. freundii predominated. Therefore, cockroaches can play a role in bacterial transmission, due to the bacteria carried on their cuticles.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Evaluation of the effectiveness of carbamates and pyrethroids against cockroaches--Blattella germanica (L.) on ships and in a port town.

The laboratory tests were aimed at determination of the effectiveness of 3 insecticides: propoxur, permethrin and deltamethrin against cockroaches, Blattella germanica (L.) caught on Polish merchant ships and in some communal buildings in the town Gdynia. The contact method with use of glass jars was applied. A total of 1700 specimens of B. germanica (males, females and larvae) has been examined. In this material there were: 720 specimens from ships, 620 from communal buildings and 360 from susceptible laboratory colony. There were carried out 116 tests: 37 with propoxur, 38 with permethrin and 41 with deltamethrin. The controls involved: 27 tests with acetone and 27 with use of the B. germanica (L.) susceptible strain. Out of the insecticides tested a very high effectiveness was shown in case of deltamethrin--in regard to all the cockroaches under investigation, and propoxur--against the cockroaches from the communal buildings. The toxic efficacy of permethrin was low.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Characterization and partial purification of the cockroach antigen in relation to housedust and housedust mite (D.f.) antigens.

Allergens in crude cockroach antigens (CRa) have not been well defined. In order to characterize the CRa, the authors partially purified CRa by gel filtration (G-75) and analyzed it by polyacrylamide electrophoresis (PAGE) and allergy skin testing (AST). Hyperimmune serum was produced against CRa in rabbit (R anti-CRa) and used for immunoelectrophoresis (IEP), double immunodiffusion (DID), crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIE), and crossed radio immunoelectrophoresis (CRIE) to further characterize the CRa. The crude CRa contained 9 and 15 precipitating arcs by IEP and CIE, respectively. Indirect CRIE revealed that CRa contained nine to 15 different allergens. There were no lines of identity between the CRa and housedust mite (D.f.) or between the CRa and commercial housedust by DID or IEP. Autologous housedust of cockroach asthmatic subjects showed lines of identity with the CRa. Fractionation of CRa on a Sephadex G-75 column chromatography showed two distinct peaks (B1 and B2) separated by a broad valley. The high molecular fraction B1 was most allergenic (100%) and contained three antigens of high molecular weight. These three antigens were identifiable by the techniques of IE, CIE, and DID. B2, the low molecular fraction (molecular weight less than 13,000 dalton) contained minor allergen(s). B2 elicited positive AST in 55% of cockroach-sensitive individuals, but it was not detected by IEP, CIE, nor by DID.

Allergens↗
PubMed1989

Cockroaches as vectors of pathogenic bacteria.

One hundred and thirty two cockroaches of species Blattella germanica--96 from hospital ward (test group) and 36 from residential areas (control group) were caught during Nov. 1985 to Nov. 1986. A variety of pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria were isolated from test and control group of insects. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, and Micrococci were isolated only from the test group of cockroaches. A high percentage (98.95 per cent) of test cockroaches were found to be carriers of various microorganisms as compared to the control group (80.55 per cent), the difference being statistically significant (p less than 0.001). Quantitative analysis in this study revealed that higher number of microorganisms are carried by test group of insects in the hospital environment. This, thereby suggests that these insects can play an important role in the etiology of hospital acquired infections.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

[History of hunting ... to cockroaches].

A 12.5 year old Cambodian boy had a chronic rhinitis with conjunctivitis since 5 years. Skin tests and RAST were positive only for cockroach allergen. The patient used to catch cockroaches to feed his fish. After disinfection of the apartment and desensitization therapy, the boy's symptoms disappeared within 7 months. The author recommends that skin tests and RAST for cockroaches may be used in the investigation of chronic rhinitis with conjunctivitis or asthma.

Allergens↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Allergy to cockroach antigens in patients with peptic ulcers and chronic gastritis.

Cockroach allergy was investigated in 10 patients with the endoscopic diagnosis of peptic ulcers and chronic gastritis, all with positive skin reactions to Blatella germanica extract. In all the cases examined, the total serum IgE level was raised, specific serum IgE detectable and both the increased number of eosinophils and IgE-bearing cells found in biopsy specimens of gastric and/or duodenal tissues. The direct provocation test of the gastric mucosa, done under fiberoscopic control, was positive in all patients, in which the immediate oedematous and haemorrhagic reaction was observed after allergen challenge. Seven patients reacted also a few minutes later with abdominal pains and/or nasal and conjunctival manifestations. The provocation with the same cockroach extracts was negative in 4 control patients with peptic ulcers but without symptoms of allergy. In the authors' opinion, cockroach antigens, like other food and inhalant allergens, may be partly responsible for the chronic inflammatory processes as well as ulcerations of gastroduodenal tissues in predisposed persons.

Allergens↗
PubMed1987

Alteration of the protein composition in the haemolymph of American cockroaches immunized with soluble proteins.

Previous in vivo experiments demonstrating the existence of humoral immunity in cockroaches prompted us to investigate the composition and number of proteins that are newly induced or increased in quantity in the haemolymph of immune cockroaches compared to saline-injected control animals. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that six different haemolymph proteins of molecular weights 220,000, 162,000, 115,000, 102,000, 95,000 and 45,000 were induced in response to immunization by honeybee toxoid. However, only the 115,000 and 102,000 MW proteins consistently increased in quantity in the haemolymph of females immunized with various other soluble protein antigens, such as phospholipase A2 toxoid and inactivated creatine phosphokinase. Other experiments showed that the 115,000 MW band was not induced in immunized male cockroaches. Therefore, only the 102,000 MW protein was consistently enhanced in all samples of immune haemolymph from animals injected with various antigens. In addition, this protein was found in precipitates recovered from assays where immune haemolymph proteins were precipitated by the antigen. Gel filtration chromatography showed that this induced haemolymph protein is large, and bears an apparent native molecular weight of 600,000 +/- 80,000. This suggests that the 600,000 MW protein may consist of multiple subunits of 102,000.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Effects of cockroach salivary secretions and serum on human blood cells.

Salivary fluids of Blaberus craniifer, a common pest species of cockroach, were found to produce leukocytolysis and hemagglutination reactions of human blood cells under in vitro conditions. Blood sera from these insects produced similar reactions, as well as the capacity to lyse human erythrocytes. The cockroach is known to regurgitate while feeding. These findings suggest the potential of the insect to induce adverse effects on human blood cells as a consequence of persons being bitten or having lesions that serve as skin sites for cockroach feeding.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Survivability of Salmonella paratyphi B var Java on experimentally infected cockroaches.

Cockroaches are inhabitant of sewers and frequent visitors of kitchen and stores in the night to feed on left over. It is liable to disseminate a number of pathogens by contaminating kitchen surface, feeding vessels and food items left open. Salmonella paratyphi B var Java a common pathogen of man and animal was used in the study to evaluate its survival and excretion in cockroaches. The host when fed on semisolid feed containing 1 x 10(7) CFU of S. paratyphi B var Java g-1, it was found that the pathogen was eliminated earlier from the live than euthanized cockroaches.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[Laboratory studies of the usefulness of biopreparation Dipel in reducing the german cockroach (Blattella germanica L.) population].

In the studies conducted for finding of biological factors effectively controlling insects of hygienic importance German cockroaches were subjected to the action of an insecticide containing spores of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki. One gram of the insecticide contained 25 miliard (US billion) spores with protein endotoxin crystals. The insects were given drinking water and food containing 1.0%, 0.5%, 0.25%, 0.125% of the initial preparation. The experiment was carried out on 1800 cockroaches. Half of them (600 mature insects differentiated for sex and age and 300 larvae in stage 1st of development) were treated with the preparation, the remaining insects served for control. The insects were kept at about 28 degrees C. After 9 days o the experiment in the group receiving 1% Dipel on food 76.4% mature insects and 83.0% larvae in 1st stage of development died. After 14 days all males died, and after 17 days died all females. In the control group died in that time 2.3% and 3.4% respectively. In case of lower per cent of the preparation in food the time of dying was prolonged, and at the lowest per cent it was 22 days. The study showed that Dipel effectively reduced the population of German cockroaches, and although in initial period its action was slower than that of chemical agents, it could be used for the control of these insects, especially as it in non-toxic for humans, warm-blooded animals and useful insects.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Laboratory examination of the effectiveness of new biological preparations for reducing populations of cockroaches (Blattella germanica L.)].

The usefulness of new commercial products of biological origin (Biobit, Novo Skeetal and Novodor) was tested in cockroaches (Blattella germanica L.) control. Biobit proved to be the most effective in reduction of cockroaches population. Its higher activity against cockroaches was observed in all concentrations tested. Females were more sensitive for all tested products than males.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Allergic rhinitis due to cockroach antigenic components. An emerging pathology?].

The aim of our study was the evaluation of the role of these insects as causative agents of perennial rhinitis. We studied 317 subjects of both sexes (175 F and 142 M) living in Naples area and examined consecutively in our Centre for perennial nasal symptoms of suspected IgE mediated aetiology. All patients underwent the following diagnostic procedures: anamnestic procedures by using an internal questionnaire, clinical examination, skin prick test by using commercially available allergenic extracts and an allergenic extract containing the whole bodies of Blattella germanica and orientalis, Periplaneta americana. Blood samples for specific IgE determinations and a rhinologic visit were also carried out in patients with cockroach skin Prick test positivity. 14 of 317 subjects, prevalently young males, presented a skin positivity to cockroach allergens. All patients showed a moderate low degree of cutaneous and a low degree of serologic sensitization to allergens of these insects. Our preliminary data seem to demonstrate a mild role of cockroaches as causative agents of perennial rhinitis in Naples area. Further studies are necessary for a more appropriate knowledge of this allergy.

Adolescent↗