Flies as Vectors of Parasites Potentially Inducing Severe Diseases in Humans and Animals

We consider 27 population and community terms used frequently by parasitologists when describing the ecology of parasites. We provide suggestions for various terms in an attempt to foster consistent use and to make terms used in parasite ecology easier to interpret for those who study free-living organisms. We suggest strongly that authors, whether they agree or disagree with us, provide complete and unambiguous definitions for all parameters of their studies. Show more

In the present study, different fly species were associated with foodborne and other pathogens. Wild synanthropic flies belonging to 12 species of 12 genera were caught for the isolation and identification of microorganisms, which might have been possibly transmitted by these flies. Trapping of flies was done at different domestic animal related places (dog pound, poultry house, cattle barn, horse stable, pigpen). All 56 individual flies were shown to be carriers of multiple species of microorganisms. Furthermore, the capacity for the flies to act as vectors was demonstrated by successful transfer of the microorganisms from live flies to blood agar plates. Potentially pathogenic and several non-pathogenic microorganisms were found. Among them, a series of pathogenic Escherichia coli strains (EAEC, EPEC, ETEC) was identified. This is the first study to clearly demonstrate the potential of these flies as vectors for the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms. Show more