Medical and Economical Significance of Millipedes

Millipedes as saprophagous epigeic fauna members are involved in the decomposition of organic debris. Diplopod’s activity improve circulation of nutrients, elements and accelerate environmental reclamation. Beyond mentioned above Diplopoda can provoke sanitary and epidemiological threats especially during swarming or seasonal migrations activities. Considering following aspects: contact with defensive secretions, pseudo-parasitic activity that imitates helminthiasis or passive transmission of pathogens, we can discuss direct or distant effects on human health. Education and proper prophylactic remain neglected. Variety of substances from millipedes are checked for their medical action: direct body extracts and active chemical components from defensive secretion. Millipedes may serve as source for zoo-pharmacology and zoo-indication development. This issue review shows that both pros and cons of the Diplopod’s influences should be considered. Literature was carried out from middle of 20th century article till recent papers. The nowadays literature were found in Google Scholar, PubMed, Medline search base.