Pests as vectors of bacteria and fungi
Mielke, U.; Böhm, W.
Zeitschrift für die Gesamte Hygiene und Ihre Grenzgebiete 23(6): 367-370
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0049-8610 PMID: 899072 Document Number: 114501
The fungal and bacterial flora of common pests, including Blattella germanica (L.), Blatta orientalis L. (Blattella orientalis), Periplaneta americana (L.), Acheta domesticus (L.) Dolichovespula germanica (F.) (Paravespula germanica), was studied on 755 examples found in grocery facilities in Magdeburg, German Democratic Republic. Germs causing decay, enteropathogenic bacteria and agents of hospital diseases were found in the bacteriological tests. Aerobic spore-forming bacteria and Gram-negative rod-shaped bacilli predominated, followed by Gram-positive coccobacteria and Gram-positive rod-shaped bacilli. Mycological tests revealed the presence of facultatively pathogenic Blastomyces and mycelial fungi, but the toxin-forming species of fungus are regarded as of greater importance. Moulds were found most frequently, followed by Blastomyces and a cutaneous fungus. Tables are given showing the distribution of the fungi between the insect species, and their occurrence on different parts of the body. The importance of systematically combating pests in all fields is stressed.