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PubMed1999

Differential distribution of isoforms of Leucophaea tachykinin-related peptides (LemTRPs) in endocrine cells and neuronal processes of the cockroach midgut.

Five isoforms of tachykinin-related peptides (TRPs), designated LemTRP-1-5, have been identified in the midgut of the cockroach Leucophaea maderae. These peptides have a conserved C-terminus hexapeptide (GFX1GX2Ramide; X1 and X2 are variable residues) and variable N-termini. Here, we address the question of whether these five isoforms are all colocalized in the two types of cells in the cockroach midgut, the endocrine cells and the neuronal processes. We also investigate whether the N-terminally extended isoforms LemTRP-2 and -3, which contain putative endoproteolytic cleavage sites, are expressed in intact form or are cleaved in the midgut cells. To this end, we used two approaches. (1) Extracts from portions of the midgut containing each of the cell types were subjected to reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the fractions monitored in a radioimmunoassay (RIA) with an antiserum to the conserved C-terminus of insect TRPs. (2) Antisera were raised to the variable N-termini of the extended LemTRP-2 and -3 and used for immunocytochemistry. The HPLC-RIA and immunocytochemical findings indicate that LemTRP-1 and 4-5 are present in the neuronal processes and in endocrine cells of the midgut proper and of the gastric cecae. The two extended forms LemTRP-2 and -3 display a differential distribution: LemTRP-2 was found in endocrine cells of midgut and gastric cecae, but not in neuronal processes, whereas LemTRP-3 was seen in neuronal processes and endocrine cells of the midgut proper, but not in the gastric cecae. LemTRP-3 and -4 have not been identified in the brain, suggesting further cell- and tissue-specific expression of LemTRPs. The mechanisms behind the cell-specific expression of the LemTRPs are not yet understood, but the demonstration of differential distribution of the peptide isoforms provide a first indication that the isoforms may have different actions.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Proteinase and gelatinolytic activities of house dust mite and cockroach extracts.

The presence of gelatinolytic activity in dust mite and Periplaneta americana allergenic crude extracts were studied. The former presented major activity in a broad band between 45 and 66 kDa and minor activity at 32 kDa, while the latter showed a more complex pattern with gelatinolytic activity at 90, 78, 65, 34, 32 and 24 kDa. When the proteolytic activity patterns of dust mites and cockroach crude extracts were analyzed at three different pH levels, the proteases in both cases were optimally active at pH 6, showed no activity at pH 3.5 and little activity at pH 8.5. The susceptibility of both extracts to a set of well-known protease inhibitors suggested that they are composed of cysteine and serine proteinases, the latter probably being a trypsin-like type. When immunochemical properties were studied, dust mite bands of about 200, 110, 65, 60 and 43 kDa showed immunoreactivity against a polyclonal human anti-dust mite serum, with the band of approximately 200 kDa presenting the highest antigenicity. A similar analysis was applied to the cockroach extract, which exhibited immunoreactive bands at 90, 78, 65 and 34 kDa when incubated with a polyclonal rabbit anti-Blatta serum. Only those of 90, 78 and 65 kDa reacted against a polyclonal human anti-Blatta serum. These results suggested a correlation between some proteases with gelatinolytic activity and the allergenicity of both extracts.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Population vector coding by the giant interneurons of the cockroach.

We tested two alternative models of integration among the cockroach giant interneurons (GIs) for determining the directions of wind-evoked escape turns. One model, called steering wheel, pits contralateral GIs against one another; the other, called population vector model, involves a vector computation among the GIs. In testing each model theoretically, the population vector was found to account far better for the actual behavior. Both models could account for the results of previous behavioral-physiological experiments in which spikes had been added to the right GI3 together with wind stimuli from the right side. The two models revealed a critical behavioral-physiological experimental test that we then performed; namely, when delivering wind from the right side, adding spikes experimentally to the right GI2 should increase turn size according to the steering wheel model but should decrease turn size according to the population vector model. The latter result was obtained. The population vector, but not the steering wheel, model also could account for previous behavioral-physiological experiments in which spikes were added experimentally to a GI contralateral to the wind stimuli. The results support the population vector model as accounting for direction determination among the cockroach GIs.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed2002

[Cockroach allergen Bla g 2 levels in houses in Lodz].

Asthma morbidity increase every year, especially among children. The cause of this is multifactorial, but exposure to high levels of indoor allergens is thought to be one important factor, since we spend the large fraction of time indoors. Next to other popular indoor allergens, many studies underline the importance of cockroach allergen. In this study dust samples from 39 homes were collected. Patients were recruited from Allergy Clinic in Zgierz. In each home the sample from kitchen and bedroom were taken. After extraction Bla g 2 concentration was measured by ELISA assay (Indoor Biotechnologies, Great Britain). Bla g 2 antigen was detected in 43 (55.13%) out of 78 samples, in 62.8% kitchen samples and 37.2% bedroom samples. In all homes with detected cockroach antigen, the levels were higher then sensitization value 8 U/g (at least in one room). The highest levels of Bla g 2 were found in old houses, without central heating and in houses with lower income. Our results showed that concentrations of Bla g 2 antigen in homes in Łódź region, are higher than previously reported in other countries and is strongly related to the house characteristics.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Changes in lung function after a bronchial provocation test with cockroach antigens].

BACKGROUND: Cockroach allergens sensitized patients at a very young age and can predispose to severe asthma on atopic children. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the FEV, changes induced after bronchoprovocation with Blatella germanica (Bg) or placebo on allergic respiratory children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective transversal study was performed in 25 children from 8 to 16 yr with allergic rhinitis and/or asthma diagnosis with sensibility only to Bg (Bayer Corp allergens) by Prick skin test, with a 1:20 weight/volume dilution. After previous training on spirometry, they assisted for a double blind bronchial challenge with 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 300, 400, 500 until 750 proteic nitrogen units of Bg or 0.9% NaCl solution in a nebulized open circuit, with a 5 litter flow for 3 min. A week after, they returned for the crossover double blind bronchial challenge. At the beginning of the study a basal spirometry was performed and subsequent spirometrics at 1.5 and 3 min after each challenge with a 10 min rest between the challenges. The test was interrupted if cough, dyspnea, wheezing and/or a 15% or more FEV1 fall appeared. RESULTS: Twelve patients showed a FEV1 fall with the antigen challenge, all with specific lgE for Bg. All they had positive skin test to Bg, 9 had asthma and rhinitis and 3 only asthma. When placebo was used 6 patients showed a FEV1 fall. When comparing the average basal and final FEV1 values after the challenges, the fall was statistical significant in both groups with a p = 0.0015 when Bg was used, and p = 0.046 with placebo. CONCLUSION: These results show that two times fold number of patients challenged with Bg had a FEV1 fall than placebo, and the t Student test showed that antigen challenge was more significant than placebo. We demonstrated that respiratory allergic patients sensitised with Bg after a bronchial challenge with these allergens show a FEV1 fall. This suggests that cockroach allergen sensitisation can be on account of children's asthma.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Population densities of cockroaches from human dwellings in urban areas in the Republic of Korea.

Studies on the population and infestation rates of domestic cockroaches were conducted from September 1999 to October 2000 in 154 residences in 21 districts (dong) in Busan and 170 residences in 12 districts in Seoul, Republic of Korea, using sticky traps. Blattella germanica, Periplaneta americana and Periplaneta fuliginosa were collected from three different types of houses, apartments, single dwelling houses and multi-union houses (villa). B. germanica was the dominant species collected from all residences. P. fuliginosa was collected more frequently (0.2 and 0.7/trap) than P. americana (0.1 and 0.2/trap) in Busan and Seoul, respectively. Population indices for B. germanica in Busan were nearly twice as high (mean 6.4/trap) when compared to Seoul (mean 3.6/trap). Mean numbers of B. germanica (6.4/trap), P. americana (0.1/trap) and P. fuliginosa (0.2/trap) in Busan were not significantly different among the three residential types sampled. In Seoul, mean numbers of P. americana (0.2/trap) and P. fuliginosa (0.7/trap) were not significantly different among the residential types whereas B. germanica (3.6/trap) indices were significantly greater for houses (11.4/trap) than for apartments (2.0/trap). Except for single dwelling houses in Seoul, seasonal mean indices for B. germanica were not significantly different for these cities. Residential infestation rates of P. americana (8.2% and 0.6%) and P. fuliginosa (13.7% and 2.8%) were very low compared to the infestation rates of B. germanica (56.9% and 76.2%) throughout the study period in Busan and Seoul, respectively. Houses were most commonly infested with B. germanica (72.9% in Busan and 93.8% in Seoul), followed by apartments (54.2% in Busan and 68.3% in Seoul) and villas (43.6% in Busan and avg. 66.4% in Seoul). The infestation rates of the cockroaches were related to the residential types (P < 0.05).

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Recombinant American cockroach component, Per a 1, reactive to IgE of allergic Thai patients.

Twelve similar recombinant Per a 1 clones were produced from an American cockroach (CR) cDNA library. The nucleotide sequence of a representative cline, i.e. clone A6, contained 579 base pairs (bp) and a 372 bp open reading frame (2-373) encoding 124 amino acids. A stop codon was found at position 374-376 followed by a 3' end untranslated region with an AATAAA polyadenylation signal and a poly (A) tail. The estimated molecular mass of the 24 amino acid residue protein was 13.8 kDa, with a predicted isoelectric point value of 4.74. Cysteine or N-linked glycosylation was not found. The deduced amino acid sequence of the A6 revealed 84.68-95.97% identity to other previously reported Per a 1 clones and 65.87-69.60% homology to the previously reported Bla g 1 clones. However, while previously reported Per a 1 clones showed homology to ANG12, a precursor protein in the midgut of the female Anopheles gambiae secreted after the blood meal, the A6 DNA sequence was found to have homology (37.1%) to DNA of G2, a putative protein in the midgut of Aedes aegypti (AY 050565). The deduced amino acid sequence of A6 contained a mitochondrial energy transfer protein signature, phosphorylation sites for the cAMP-and cGMP-dependent protein kinase C and casein kinase II. Hydrophobic and hydrophilic characteristics of the A6 deduced peptide indicated that it was a transmembrane protein. This is the first report that Per a 1 is a transmembrane protein. The deduced amino acid sequence of the A6, which contained the sequence LIRSLFGLP, differed in one amino acid from two previously reported epitopes, i.e. LIRALFGL and IRSWFGLP, of Per a 1.0104 which bound 80% and 100%, respectively, to IgE of the allergic patients tested. The A6 DNA sequence was deposited in the GenBank (Accession number AY 259514) and has been designated Per a 1.0105. The A6 expressed protein bound to monoclonal antibodies (MAb 3C2) specific to American cockroach and also bound to IgE of all (100%) of the 20 allergic Thai patients.

Allergens↗

PubMed1961

Further studies on cross-resistance in the German cockroach.

Four strains of German cockroaches have been exposed to a variety of insecticides in an effort to obtain more information on the cross-resistance phenomenon in this species. The insecticides chlordane, aldrin, and lindane were each tested against chlordane-resistant, lindane-resistant, and non-resistant strains. The insecticides diazinon and Sevin were each tested against DDT-resistant, chlordane-resistant, and non-resistant strains. Adult females were used exclusively in these tests. The data are presented in the form of regression lines.The results show that the DDT-resistant strain is highly resistant to Sevin but is susceptible to diazinon, while the chlordane-resistant strain is susceptible to both of these compounds. Furthermore, the chlordane- and the lindane-resistant strains are both highly resistant to chlordane and to aldrin, but show only low-level resistance to lindane.The over-all picture of cross-resistance between insecticidal groups in the German cockroach is still one of relative simplicity. At the present time the only real exception is that reported in this paper: the DDT-resistant strain was found to be resistant to the carbamate insecticide Sevin.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Moniliformis moniliformis infection has no effect on some behaviors of the cockroach Diploptera punctata.

The behavior of the cockroach Diploptera punctata parasitized with the acanthocephalan Moniliformis moniliformis was examined for parasite-induced alterations. No significant difference in behavior was found between parasitized and unparasitized animals in the following behavioral tests: (1) choice of white/black, horizontal/vertical substrate under light and dark conditions; (2) temporal and directional response to a bright light source; (3) choice between light and dark (photophilia); and (4) activity (time spent moving, distance, and velocity). A comparison of uninfected animals under 2 light conditions showed that light affected the activity of uninfected animals and their response to substrate. Diploptera punctata is the first nondomestic cockroach to be examined for behavioral responses to Moniliformis infection. This is the first report of an arthropod in which acanthocephalan infection has failed to alter behavior under at least some common test conditions.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Efficacy of synthetic pyrethroid and propoxur aerosol in the control of German cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Blatellidae) in cookhouses.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A field trial was carried out in cookhouses in an urban area to evaluate the efficacy of synthetic pyrethroid (0.02% deltamethrin + 0.13% allethrin) and propoxur aerosols (2%) in the control of German cockroaches (Blatella germanica). METHODS: A total of six cookhouses were selected by simple random sampling method (two each for the two insecticide treatments and two for control). RESULTS: It was observed that 89.36-87.8 and 77.95-59.74% reductions were achieved with propoxur and synthetic pyrethroid treatment respectively by first week post-treatment. The reduction in propoxur treated areas by eight weeks post-treatment was 82.98-76.13%, whereas the reduction in the same time period in synthetic pyrethroid treated areas ranged from 14.36% to an increase in density by a phenomenal 157.86% in one of the treated sites. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: The study reports the efficacy of propoxur aerosol (2%) treatment over synthetic pyrethroid (0.02% deltamethrin + 0.13% allethrin) in the control of cockroach infestation in cookhouses in urban area.

Aerosols↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Insecticidal activity of pyrethroids for houseflies and German cockroaches].

Insecticidal and knock-down effects of eight pyrethroids, belonging to 2 types as to their chemical structure and specific action towards the nervous system, on the domestic flies' and German cockroaches' imago were assessed comparatively. Pyrethroids of the 2nd type, especially deltametrine, proved to be more effective against domestic flies as well as German cockroaches. Activity of the pyrethroids of the 1st type featured rapid knock-down effect and was practically independent from varying concentrations. The knock-down was reversible even at high concentrations. In case of the 2nd type of pyrethroids, the knock-down effect was concentration-dependent. Domestic flies, on the whole, were more sensitive to the effect of pyrethroids of the 1st type. The use of pyrethroids of the 2nd type against nonflying sinathropic insects would be advisable because they produce a higher insecticidal effect as well as irreversible knock-down.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Hymenolepis diminuta utilizes the envelope surrounding Moniliformis moniliformis in order to survive in the cockroach host.

The acanthocephalan Moniliformis moniliformis is surrounded by a membranous envelope that protects the parasite from hemocytic attack in the cockroach host. If injected into a cockroach infected with M. moniliformis, hatched oncospheres of the tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta are able to penetrate this envelope and, once inside, utilize its protective function in order to develop. These "double parasites" were infective to rats.

Acanthocephala↗

PubMed1987

Circadian change of dichlorvos lethality (LD 50) in the cockroach in LD 14:10 and continuous red light.

To examine a possible circadian change in LD 50, male, nonvirgin female, and virgin female American cockroaches, Periplaneta americana, were standardized on a regimen of light for 14 hr, alternating with darkness for 10 hr (LD 14:10); they were tested for their sensitivity to an organophosphorus insecticide, dichlorvos, on this regimen and on a regimen providing for 1 added day's maintenance in continuous red light (RR). A marker rhythm in locomotor activity was established using running wheels for the three groups of cockroaches in LD 14:10. Series, consisting of the number of impulses per hour from each of ten roaches per group, were fitted with a 24-hr cosine curve; the zero amplitude assumption was rejected by single cosinor for all series (P less than 0.001) and by population-mean cosinor for each group. Individual circadian acrophases (phi) differed by 18 degrees, 13 degrees, and 6 degrees in the three groups. Group phis were -49 degrees, -48 degrees, and -47 degrees; (360 degrees identical to 24 hr; 0 degrees = light off), i.e., they were within 2 degrees (8 min) of each other with confidence intervals of 6 degrees, 5 degrees, and 11 degrees, respectively. In three separate groups (males and virgin and nonvirgin females) of 480 roaches each, susceptibility to dichlorvos was tested; six doses were applied, each to 10 roaches, 3 hr apart for 24 hr. The phis reflecting maximal resistance to the insecticide were at -200 degrees, -194 degrees, and -203 degrees, i.e., within 9 degrees of each other. Assuming sinusoidality, times of highest susceptibility (-20 degrees, -14 degrees, and -23 degrees) led the acrophase of the activity rhythm by about 2 hr.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

[Occurrence, distribution and control of cockroaches in the East German district of Rostock].

The German cockroach (Blattella germanica) is the prevalent species in the district of Rostock. There was also an occurrence of Blatta orientalis and, in one case, of Periplaneta australasiae. Periplaneta americana is occasionally introduced from warmer regions of the globe via containers. Extent and intensity of infestation of many buildings has increased making large-scale control measures necessary. Most control measures have been taken in food industry enterprises. The quantity of cockroach control increases with growing population density.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

The growth of supernumerary legs in the cockroach.

When the anteroposterior axis of a cockroach leg is reversed at a graft by exchanging a left leg for a right leg at the mid-tibia level, regeneration occurs in the region of the graft/host junction. This results in the formation of a pair of lateral supernumerary legs. In these experiments the patterns of cell division which take place during supernumerary leg formation were observed in sections of regenerating legs of the cockroach Leucophaea maderae. Early patterns of cell division resemble those seen in control grafts in which no axial reversal had been carried out during grafting. These cell divisions are associated with the process of wound healing. Later, a large area of the epidermis proximal to the graft/host junction becomes activated and shows a rapid rate of cell division. This area forms two outgrowths which grow by cell division throughout their epidermis to form the epidermis of the supernumerary legs. The results are more consistent with the view that the formation of supernumerary legs involves dedifferentiation of the epidermis in the region of the graft/host junction to form a blastema, rather than being due to local cell division at the point of maximum pattern discontinuity. This conclusion is used to offer an explanation for the range of different types of outcome of left-right grafts that has been observed.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Response of the cockroach brain gamma-aminobutyric acid system to isonicotinic acid hydrazide and mercaptopropionic acid.

The presence of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) as well as glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and GABA-transaminase (GABA-T) enzymes was demonstrated in the cockroach (Periplaneta americana) brain. Isonicotinic acid hydrazide (INH) in vivo (2.19 mumol/g) inhibited brain GAD activity, the inhibition lasted for about 2 hours and the normal activity levels reappeared at 4 h after INH administration. Brain GABA levels increased initially but then declined and were restored to normal levels at 4 h after INH administration. GABA-T activity was strongly inhibited by INH and a total 100% inhibition was observed at 2-3 h following INH treatment. The GABA-T activity, however, began to recover after 3 h but only 37% of the total enzyme activity was released from inhibition. Mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) in vivo (32 micrograms/g) inhibited brain GAD activity and depleted GABA level also. Results indicate that INH response of the cockroach brain GABA system is similar to that reported for the chick brain but differs from that of the mammalian brain.

3-Mercaptopropionic Acid↗

PubMed1979

House dust, mite (D. farinae) and cockroach allergy in a midwestern population.

By using three different skin testing techniques and RAST, this study explores the relationship among house dust, mite (Dermatophagoides farinae) and cockroach allergy in atopic patients in the Kansas City area. Results suggest that the cockroach antigen may be as important as the mite in the etiology of house dust allergy in this population.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1979

Cockroaches in relation to bronchial asthma in the Durban area.

Thirty patients from the White and Coloured asthma clinics were subjected to skin prick tests with various antigens. Although the house-dust mite was found to be the main offender, 9 of the 30 patients showed a significant reaction to cockroach antigen. It is felt that cockroaches play a role in the pathogenesis of asthma in the Durban area and that this fact should be considered in desensitization programmes.

Adolescent↗