Potential for transmission of pseudomonas aeruginosa and other bacterial and parasitic infectious agents by drosophila spa (fruit fues) as mechanical vectors
Abstract
Introduction: Drosophila melanogaster, a fruit fly, has for more than 100 years played a
pivotal role in scientific research, particularly in genetics and developmental biology.
However, the Drosophila just like any other fly may act as a mechanical vector aiding in the
transmision of parasitic and bacterial infectious agents. This fly has philia not only for fruits
and moist food, but also for other moist environments including sinks, toilets, latrines,
urinaries, sewages, soaps, sponges, towels, bathooms, mops, and plants. The fact that these
flies alternate between these moist filthy environments and food suggests that they have
the potential for transmiting pathogens such as Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia
lamblia, Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides, Salmonella tyhi, Shigella dysenteriae, Vibrio
cholera, Escherichia coli, Campylobactor jejuni ,and even, Pseudomonas aeruginosa from the
moist filthy environments to food. Of particular concern is the possible relationship
between Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Drosophila. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an
opportunistic pathogen, and one of the top three bacterial pathogens responsible for
nosocomial infections.
Hypotheses: Drosophila sp. could be a mechanical vector for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and
other bacterial and parasitic infectious agents. There could be a relationship between
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Drosophila sp. Pseudomonas aeruginosa thrives in moist
environments, produces a fruity odor, and two types of soluble pigments: the fluorescent
pigment pyoverdin and the blue pigment pyocyanin, just like a juicy fruit does hence
attracting fruit flies to act as their mechanical vectors. This study is designed to investigate a
possible role of Drosophila sp. as a mechanical vector of infectious agents.
Methodology: D. melanogaster samples were collected from bathrooms, toilets/latrines,
kitchens and hospital wards using improvised sterilized Drosophila traps. These versatile
traps (plastic containers; with a transparent base and colored lids) have a patented food
grade attractant (a mixture of sterilized ripe banana paste and bread crumbs with small
amounts of ethyl acetate added) that readily attracts several species of Drosophila. The
baited flies were then analyzed for bacterial and parasitic infectious agents using culture
and biochemical tests, and concentration techniques (e.g. formal ether), respectively.
Determination of whether fruit flies may transmit various infectious agents or not, was
achieved by computing their proportions for the 40 sampled areas analyzed. Determination
of whether there is a statistically significant relationship between fruit fly attraction, bait
type, and color, was achieved by comparing the geometric means of number of fruit flies for
the various colors and bait type groups. T-test and ANOVA were used to compare difference
in geometric means at significance levels of 5%.
Results: The most commonly isolated bacterial infectious agents were P. aeruginosa and E.
coli, while parasitic infectious agents being S. stercorolis. Candida albicans the only fungal
infectious agent was also isolated from D. melanogaster. The P. aeruginosa cultures
attracted D. melanogaster while the different color types did not.
Conclusion: D. melanogaster is probably a mechanical vector for various bacterial, parasitic,
and fungal pathogens. P. aeruginosa attracts D. melanogaster thus enhancing its
transmission. To prevent the flies from breeding bushes should be cleared, dust bins
emptied and cleaned regularly, and stagnating water drained around our residence and
hospitals environment.
Citation
Master Of Science in medical Microbiology, University of Nairobi, 2013Publisher
Universty of Nairobi