Synanthropic Flies as Vectors ofCryptosporidiumandGiardiaamong Livestock and Wildlife in a Multispecies Agricultural Complex

Abstract

The capacity of synanthropic flies belonging to the families Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, and Muscidae to serve as mechanical vectors of Cryptosporidium and Giardia among livestock and wildlife in a multispecies agricultural complex in northwest Georgia (USA) was studied using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) techniques. Flies from all three families were carrying viable Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts internally and externally, and deposited them on trap surfaces. Furthermore, the contaminated flies and trap surfaces occurred in association with each of the four domestic animal units (beef, dairy, equine, and sheep), and in wildlife areas dominated by deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and Canada Geese (Branta canadensis). Cryptosporidium was isolated from 55.56% of the fly samples, whereas Giardia was isolated from only 7.94%. The highest numbers of Cryptosporidium were associated with cattle and wildlife areas, while Giardia occurred in greatest numbers in the sheep area. Cryptosporidium was isolated comparably from exoskeletal elutants and fly homogenates, but Giardia was isolated primarily from homogenates, indicating primarily internal transport in the latter. Surfaces visited by the flies (i.e., traps) became contaminated by both Cryptosporidium (18.89%) and Giardia (1.11%). In conclusion, these flies can serve as mechanical vectors of both Cryptosporidium and Giardia in all of these settings, and undoubtedly play a role in movement of these pathogens among the various host species.

Análise descritiva da diarreia em uma coorte de bezerras criadas em sistema de casinhas até cem dias de idade, Município de Piraí, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

“…Outro aspecto observado nas visitas semanais foi a presença eventual de animais adultos no local das casinhas com consequente eliminação de fezes contaminando a pastagem, provável fonte de infecção para as bezerras. Adicionalmente, moscas, comumente presentes no ambiente das casinhas, são vetores mecânicos de oocistos de Cryptosporidium e cistos de Giardia (CONN et al, 2007).…”

“…Mas, o risco de infecção diminui significativamente com o aumento da idade do animal (MALDONADO-CAMARGO et al, 1998;SCHAAF, 1999). Além disso, animais jovens são mais sensíveis à infecção clínica por espécies do gênero Eimeria, que estão envolvidas em perdas econômicas, por causarem diarreia (CORNELISSEN et al, 1995;MATJILA;PENZHORN, 2002). A ocorrência das espécies de Eimeria varia de acordo com a idade dos animais hospedeiros (MENEZES;LOPES, 1995).…”

Overview of Cryptosporidium Presentations at the 10th International Workshops on Opportunistic Protists

“…Synanthropic flies have been shown to mechanically transport Cryptosporidium oocysts (10). In a recent study, Conn and collaborators showed that dung beetles can potentially disseminate Cryptosporidium oocysts (11).…”

“…Synanthropic flies have been shown to mechanically transport Cryptosporidium oocysts (10). In a recent study, Conn and collaborators showed that dung beetles can potentially disseminate Cryptosporidium oocysts (11). Sixteen dung beetles of the genera Onthophagus, Ataenius, and Aphodius were collected from facilities and pastures housing domestic sheep, dairy cattle, beef cattle, and horses as well as fields frequented by Canada geese and white-tailed deer.…”

Artrópodos con interés vectorial en la salud pública en España

“…Diversas familias de dípteros braquíceros como Muscidae, Fanniidae, Calliphoridae o Sarcophagidae, presentan especies con demostrado papel en la difusión de virus, bacterias y protozoos enteropatógenos [25][26][27][28] .…”