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Effects of antibiotics on the survival of Salmonella in the American cockroach

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

Marc J. Klowden
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago Circle, Chicago, Illinois 60680
Bernard Greenberg
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago Circle, Chicago, Illinois 60680
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Summary

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The faecal survival of Salmonella typhimurium orally administered to restrained American cockroaches maintained on an antibiotic diet was investigated. Significant reductions in median numbers of total aerobic faecal microorganisms were noted in insects fed antibiotics daily, and when Salmonella was introduced to this modified micro-environment, it persisted for 44 days in all specimens. Multiplication of the pathogen was also observed in these insects, with numbers often exceeding 103 times that of the initial input. This differs significantly from our previous results showing that the pathogen is unable to multiply in conventional cockroaches. Attempts to restore the normal flora by feeding a faecal suspension from untreated cockroaches resulted in a decrease in numbers of Salmonella excreted, but did not result in their elimination. Carcasses of infected cockroaches retained viable Salmonella for at least 60 days post mortem, or 104 days after the infective meal.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1977

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