Vector potential of the German cockroach in dissemination of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Abstract Survival time studies of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cockroaches ( Blattella germanica ) were carried out under standard laboratory conditions. Cockroaches were fed with graded doses (10 2 , 10 5 or 10 7 per insect) of P. aeruginosa . Depending on the excretion of P. aeruginosa the cockroaches were categorized as non-excretors, intermittent excretors or continuous excretors. When a dose of 10 2 , P. aeruginosa was used all the insects were non-excretors but with doses of 10 5 or 10 7 per insect, P. aeruginosa multiplied in the gut of the cockroaches and was excreted for up to 114 days. The significance of these findings is discussed.