Aerobic bacterial microbiota in stomoxys calcitrans: preliminary studies in Brazil

Abstract

The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, has a great importance in medical and veterinary health due to its feeding and reproductive habits, which can disseminate some pathogenic agents among hosts even at long distances. This study aimed to describe, for the first time in Brazil, the bacterial microbiota in segments of the stable fly. Bacterial species were isolated from three different segments (cuticle, mouth parts and abdominal alimentary tract) of the stable fly. Twenty dairy farms were visited in four municipalities: Barra Mansa, Quatis, Resende and Rio Claro in the State of Rio de Janeiro in order to collect 20 flies in each site. Dissection of the flies and procedures of isolation and identification of bacterial species were performed. A total of 161 colonies of 33 distinct species were isolated, such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and S. intermedius. Stomoxys calcitrans may harbor bacterial agents on their cuticle, mouth parts and abdominal alimentary tract and these bacteria may be pathogenic to their hosts.

Genetic relationship between Escherichia coli strains isolated from dairy mastitis and from the stable fly Stomoxys calcitrans

“…However, there are no previous studies employing molecular tools to investigate genetic variability and clonal relationship of these sub-populations. Therefore, it is too early to state that the stable fly, or any other muscid, can be responsible for transmitting the bacteria in the environment (Moraes et al 2004, Keen et al 2006, Castro et al 2007, Förster et al 2009). …”

“…Then each fly was placed on its back in a sterile Petri dish and a stereoscopic microscope was used to aid removal of the mouth apparatus and abdominal digestive tract, as described by Castro et al (2007). Each segment was then macerated in BHI Broth and incubated in a bacteriological chamber at 37 ºC for at least 24 hours.…”

Isolamento de espécies enterobacterianas em Stomoxys calcitrans

“…A mosca dos estábulos, Stomoxys calcitrans, se destaca pelo hematofagismo e pela capacidade de veicular agentes patogênicos, destacando-se vírus, fungos, protozoários, helmintos e bactérias, conforme citado em estudos anteriores (GREENBERG, 1971;OLIVEIRA et al, 2002;CASTRO et al, 2007). No Brasil, poucos estudos sobre a veiculação e a transmissão de microrganismos pela mosca dos estábulos foram realizados.…”

“…No Brasil, poucos estudos sobre a veiculação e a transmissão de microrganismos pela mosca dos estábulos foram realizados. Estes são incipientes quando comparados com os estudos realizados em outros muscóides, conforme relatado por GREENBERG (1971GREENBERG ( e 1973 (CASTRO et al, 2007).…”

“…Posteriormente, o restante do corpo foi colocado em uma nova placa de Petri invertida. Nessa placa, foi separado o abdome do tórax e foi retirada a porção abdominal do tubo digestório de cada mosca (CASTRO et al, 2007).…”