The contamination of human residential environments by intestinal protozoan parasites in cockroaches: a systematic review, meta-analysis and future predictions (up to 2035)

Cockroaches are significant health hazards as they can carry and transmit various pathogens, leading to serious illnesses in humans. This study investigates the global prevalence of intestinal protozoan parasites (IPPs) in cockroaches through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Several databases, including (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar), were searched for publications covering 2003 to 2024. Following PRISMA guidelines, we identified 5,955 records, resulting in 36 eligible studies. The pooled global prevalence of contaminated cockroaches was estimated at 0.26 (95% CI = 0.16–0.37). Further analysis indicated that the highest pooled prevalence based on sample source was found in zoo samples (0.82, 95% CI = 0.75–0.88). Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) detection methods yielded the highest prevalence (0.42, 95% CI = 0–1.00), while <i>Blatta orientalis</i> showed a pooled prevalence of 0.57 (95% CI = 0.49–0.65). Geographically, Asia exhibited the highest prevalence rate (0.35, 95% CI = 0.16–0.57), particularly in low-income countries (0.56, 95% CI = 0.00–1.00). These findings underscore significant public health concerns regarding the contamination of cockroaches with IPPs and highlight the necessity for effective monitoring and control measures.