Popular Hissing Cockroaches Host Potent Mold Allergens

[Guest guest]

The reason for posting this story was mainly for this one paragraph:

" Researchers have identified 14 different types of mold on and

around this species of cockroach, including several molds associated

with allergies and others that can cause secondary infections if

they enter the lungs or an open wound. "

KC

Popular Hissing Cockroaches Host Potent Mold Allergens

Newswise (press release)

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/538709/

Newswise — Their gentle nature, large size, odd sounds and low-

maintenance care have made Madagascar hissing cockroaches popular

educational tools and pets for years. But the giant insects also

have one unfortunate characteristic: Their hard bodies and feces are

home to many mold species that could be triggering allergies in the

kids and adults who handle the bugs, according to a new study.

Researchers have identified 14 different types of mold on and around

this species of cockroach, including several molds associated with

allergies and others that can cause secondary infections if they

enter the lungs or an open wound.

" This is mainly a point of public awareness, " said Benoit,

lead author of the study and a doctoral candidate in entomology at

Ohio State University. " We are not criticizing their use. We are

just saying that if you handle these cockroaches, you should wash

your hands when you're done.

" It's also best to maintain the cage. It's not a pet you can

ignore, " he said. " Without regular cleaning, feces will build up,

and the old exoskeletons they shed will build up. And that's where a

lot of the problems happen. "

The research is published in the March issue of the journal Mycoses.

The natural life of the Madagascar hissing cockroach, or

Gromphadorhina portentosa, is not well understood. But in captivity,

the insects thrive on dog food and fruit, reproduce plentifully and

do not bite. They grow to between 2 and 3 inches long and 1 inch

wide, and will make their characteristic hissing sound if they are

squeezed or otherwise feel threatened.

Benoit, an allergy sufferer himself, suspected the insects' large

bodies and moist living environments might combine to create a prime

breeding ground for mold.

Some people are allergic to the species of cockroaches that are

household pests. In those cases, the bugs' actual bodies contain

allergens. In the case of the Madagascar hissing cockroaches, the

most potent mold allergens live on and around the insects instead.

Benoit and colleagues examined the insects from an Ohio State-based

colony as well as those found in home collections, zoos, pet stores

and science classrooms across Ohio.

The research group tested the feces first, and, as expected, found

mold in the bugs' waste. Then the team examined the giant

cockroaches themselves, both outside and inside their bodies, to see

what other allergens might be present.

The most commonly found mold species found on the body surfaces of

young and adult Madagascar hissing cockroaches were Rhizopus,

Penicillium, Mucor, Trichoderma and Alternaria, several of which are

listed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as

common indoor molds. Colonies of the mold species Aspergillus niger,

a common contaminant of food, were particularly plentiful in the

feces and external shells that had been discarded as the insects

molted.

Few molds were found inside the cockroaches' bodies.

Molds are fungi that grow best in humid conditions, and spread and

reproduce by making spores. Benoit said all of the mold species

found on and around the hissing cockroaches are capable of producing

huge quantities of spores. And the spores themselves can get on bug

handlers' skin or be inhaled, triggering allergic responses in those

sensitive to the molds.

For people who are allergic to molds, exposure can cause symptoms

such as nasal stuffiness, itchy or burning eyes, wheezing or skin

irritation, according to the CDC. Some people with serious allergies

to molds may have more severe reactions.

Benoit now is pursuing additional studies on one surprise among the

findings: Symbiotic mites also live on the cockroaches, and help

keep them clean.

" The mites sweep the surface and remove old food particles and

debris, so they remove places on which fungi can grow, " Benoit said.

Benoit conducted the project with Jay Yoder and Glenn of

Wittenberg University and Lawrence Zettler of Illinois College.

NOTE: For images and video related to this story, please contact

Caldwell or visit:

http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/hissroach.htm

[Guest guest]

When I had allergy testing done, years ago, they tested for chockroaches! I

thought they were crazy but explained to me that they can cause many

allergies in humans. And to think they have been around for millions of

years!!!

Awful thought!

Sue

The reason for posting this story was mainly for this one paragraph:

" Researchers have identified 14 different types of mold on and

around this species of cockroach, including several molds associated

with allergies and others that can cause secondary infections if

they enter the lungs or an open wound. "

KC

Popular Hissing Cockroaches Host Potent Mold Allergens

Newswise (press release)

_http://www.newswisehttp://www.newhttp://www.n_

(http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/538709/)

Newswise — Their gentle nature, large size, odd sounds and low-

maintenance care have made Madagascar hissing cockroaches popular

educational tools and pets for years. But the giant insects also

have one unfortunate characteristic: Their hard bodies and feces are

home to many mold species that could be triggering allergies in the

kids and adults who handle the bugs, according to a new study.

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