Isolation and identification of virulent bacteria from forensic flies as mechanical vectors associated with a rabbit carcass.

Salama, Norhan Essam El Deen; Y. Mahfouz, Amira; Hammad, Kotb; M. Kabadaia, Mohamed; A. Moselhy, Walaa

doi:10.21608/ijtar.2024.218572.1065

Isolation and identification of virulent bacteria from forensic flies as mechanical vectors associated with a rabbit carcass.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Entomology

² Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, (Girls Branch) Cairo, Egypt

³ Zoology and Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.

⁴ Zoology and Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, (Girls Branch) Cairo, Egypt

10.21608/ijtar.2024.218572.1065

Abstract

Flies can transfer a remarkable range and variety of pathogens including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Herein, forensic flies’ succession associated with the decomposition stages of a rabbit carcass, bacterial variety, and the total bacterial load associated with the external body surface of these forensic flies were investigated. A total of 340 adult insects were collected from rabbit carcass during decomposition stages, most of them are flies. Fresh, bloated, and decay stages attracted the greatest numbers and highest diversity of flies species. Moreover, Chrysomya albiceps and Chrysomya domestica were recorded in all decaying stages. Several pathogenic bacteria were isolated from the flies’ body surface on selective and differential media and identified to the species level by using the Vitek2 system. The high-ranking bacterial count and diversity were isolated from Chrysomya albiceps, Wohlfartia magnifica, and Chrysomya domestica, respectively during the decomposition stages. The results revealed that Enterobacteriaceae was the most dominant isolated bacteria from the collected flies. The Percentage of bacterial incidence presented that E. coli was the most detected pathogen (41%) followed by Staphylococci. (34%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae ssp pneumoniae (10% each), Proteus mirabilis (5%). The present study provides a stepping stone for studying the microbiota diversity of flies causing myiasis. The prevalence of E. coli gained in this survey is a cause for public health concern as this bacterium has been incriminated in cases of gastroenteritis. Accordingly, efforts are required to raise awareness among all people about personal hygiene and clean surfaces subjected to flies.

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