Species distribution,seasonal fluctuation and body surface bacteria of cockroaches in passenger train carriages

ObjectiveTo examine the predominance species and their distribution and body surface bacteria of cockroaches in passenger train carriages under management of Kunming Railway Bureau for control of cockroaches-related hygiene hazards effectively.MethodsThe density of cockroaches in 936 hard sleeper,hard seat,and dining carriages was determined with trapping method and pathogenic bacteria on body surface of the collected cockroaches were isolated and identified with national standard methods in laboratory.ResultsDuring the survey period of 2010 to 2012,a total of 4 314 cockroaches were trapped and the predominant cockroaches(98%)in the carriages surveyed were Blattella germanica,with the highest density of 2.66 and the lowest of 0.72 per carriage.All the trapped cockroaches were positive for pathogenic bacteria including Salmonella paratyphi A,Escherichia coli,Staphylococcus aureus,Bacillus cereus,Shigella and molds.ConclusionBlattella germanica is predominant cockroache in passenger train carriages under management of Kunming Railway Bureau.