Detection of Potential Intestinal Parasitic Stages Carried by the German Cockroach (Blattella germanica) in Al-Zawiya, Libya
Keywords:
German cockroach, Blattella germanica, suspected intestinal parasitic stages, parasitic contamination, external surface, digestive tract, Al-Zawiya, LibyaAbstract
This study aimed to detect suspected intestinal parasitic stages carried by the German cockroach, Blattella germanica, in Al-Zawiya, Libya. The study was conducted during March 2026 and included 100 specimens of B. germanica collected from different household environments, including domestic kitchens, domestic bathrooms, areas near kitchens, and areas near bathrooms. The German cockroach was identified based on its external morphological characteristics. Each specimen was then examined for the presence of suspected intestinal parasitic stages on the external body surface and within the digestive tract. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages, with SPSS software.
The results showed that 38 out of 100 specimens were positive for the presence of suspected intestinal parasitic stages, representing an overall positivity rate of 38.0%, while 62.0% of the specimens were negative. Parasitic stages were detected on the external body surface in 28.0% of the specimens and in the digestive tract in 21.0%. Parasitic stages were found only on the external surface in 17.0% of the specimens, only in the digestive tract in 10.0%, and in both sites in 11.0%. According to the collection source, the highest positivity rate was recorded among specimens collected from domestic bathrooms (46.4%), followed by specimens collected near bathrooms (41.7%). The microscopically observed stages included suspected helminth eggs, suspected intestinal protozoan cysts, nematode larvae, and unidentified parasitic stages.
The findings indicate that B. germanica in Al-Zawiya may carry suspected intestinal parasitic stages on its external surface and within its digestive tract, supporting its possible association with parasitic contamination in household environments. The study recommends improving domestic environmental hygiene, controlling household cockroach infestations, and conducting further studies using more confirmatory diagnostic methods.
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