Molecular Detection of Campylobacter spp. and E. coli O157:H7 Carried by Filth Flies (Diptera: Muscidae) Associated with Turkey Production Facilities

Authors

C. B. Cottone, New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control BoardFollow
A. L. Szalanski, University of Arkansas
T. McKay, Arkansas State University
C. D. Steelman, University of Arkansas

Abstract

Filth flies (Diptera: Muscidae), such as those that breed in feces and other organic refuse, have been documented as being mechanical vectors of pathogenic bacteria including E. coli O157:H7, that cause hemorrhagic colitis in humans, and Campylobacter spp., which is the principal causative agent of human enteritis. Recently, a molecular diagnostic technique has been developed to identify filth flies that have been exposed to bacterial pathogens using PCR of insect DNA. We used this molecular diagnostic technique to screen over 5,000 adult filth flies for Campylobacter spp. and E. coli O157:H7 from two Arkansas turkey facilities during 2002 and 2003. An average of 20% of house flies, Musca domestica L., and 27.0% of black garbage flies, Hydrotaea aenescens (Weidemann), carried Campylobacter spp. Occurrence of E. coli O157:H7 was much lower, with 0.7% of the house flies and 1.0% of the black garbage flies testing positive. Flies were found carrying Campylobacter spp. during all 9 mo of the surveillance, with the highest proportion carrying Campylobacter spp. and E. coli O157:H7 during the summer months. We recommend that fly control be targeted towards flies found within poultry facilities and especially towards female flies, which carry a greater proportion of bacterial pathogens.

Recommended Citation

Cottone, C. B.; Szalanski, A. L.; McKay, T.; and Steelman, C. D. (2014) "Molecular Detection of Campylobacter spp. and E. coli O157:H7 Carried by Filth Flies (Diptera: Muscidae) Associated with Turkey Production Facilities," Midsouth Entomologist: Vol. 7: No. 1, Article 1.
Available at: https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/midsouthent/vol7/iss1/1