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The US Government reports a trend of increasing cases of asthma {4}. A series of studies have identified
cockroaches as human allergens and have furthermore linked these allergens to asthma. The following
bulleted items are briefly reviewed in the literature and do not by any means constitute a thorough search.
- Cockroaches & byproducts identified as human allergens: these allergies linked to asthma.
- Sensitivity to cockroaches increases with infestation rate.
- Cockroach allergens one key factor for higher prevalence of asthma in urban areas.
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- Rodents.
- Flies.
- Cockroaches.
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A host of studies recognize cockroaches and their byproducts as strong indoor allergenic agents {11, 35, 38, 40}.
The potential role of cockroach allergens in asthma development was first suggested by Bernton et al. {12} and
subsequent studies have linked asthma to allergens associated with cockroaches {15, 18, 22, 24, 27, 28}.
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Kang et al. {29} linked cockroach hypersensitivity with the rate of cockroach infestations in
human habitats. Since the prevalence of asthma in children been increasing steadily {13, 29}, the
need to control cockroaches is more important than ever.
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Children in the inner city have higher levels of exposure to cockroach allergens than most {32},
and this increased exposure to cockroach allergens is one key factor responsible for the higher prevalence
of asthma in poor urban areas {15}.
Not surprisingly, a significant reduction in exposure to cockroach allergens can be achieved only through
extermination of resident cockroach populations. In a recent study by Sarpong et al. {43}, repeated measure
of cockroach allergen levels in floor dust samples taken from an urban dormitory were similar despite weekly
vacuum cleaning. However, when regular vacuuming was combined with cockroach extermination, the level of cockroach
allergens fell 5.5 times. Currently available pesticides have been shown to reduce cockroach populations by 85
to 100% and maintain reductions for at least 3 months {25}. Unfortunately, cockroaches are behaviorally,
physiologically, and genetically adaptable, and it is unlikely that a single approach to their control will be
effective through time {26}. Therefore, it is important to implement integrated pest management approaches,
that do not rely on indiscriminate insecticide applications as a sole tool for cockroach control.
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Rodents and insects have been implicated in the transmission of various diseases. Rats and mice are carriers
of rare but deadly microorganisms such as plague and the hanta virus. Insects are also associated with diseases
and food contaminants.
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There is a direct correlation between dysentery in people and the extremely large populations of house flies.
Other types of major health risks include tuberculosis, yaws, leprosy, myiasis, and poliomyelitis {1}.
Although there is little definitive proof that flies transmit diseases, there is ample evidence suggesting they
are capable of mechanically picking them up. In fact, a compilation of two articles reviewing the human pathogens
associated with the house fly lists 2 viruses, 30 types of bacteria, 10 protozoa, 6 platyhelminths and 3 species
of nematodes {17, 23}.
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Cockroaches produce odorous secretions that can affect the flavor of various foods and have also been
implicated in the transmission of diseases. Disease-producing organisms such as bacteria, protozoa, and
viruses have been found in cockroach bodies. Different forms of gastroenteritis (food poisoning, dysentery,
diarrhea, etc.) appear to be the principal diseases transmitted by these cockroaches. These disease-causing
organisms are carried on the legs and bodies of cockroaches, and are deposited on food and utensils as
cockroaches forage.
In addition, there is ample evidence implicating cockroaches in the transmission of hospital acquired
diseases {14, 16, 21, 19, 20, 34}.
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