Characterization of enteric bacteria from house flies in Health Campus, USM
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Date
2018-12
Authors
Zainal, Sitti Nanda
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Pusat Pengajian Sains Perubatan, Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
Musca domestica, or known as house flies are synantrophic insect that play a role in
being a mechanical vector in transmitting diseases. They are able to cause food
contamination easily by landing on food, water or utensils. House flies have been
associated with various pathogens, especially those that can cause food borne diseases
such as cholerae, salmonellosis and shigellosis. Hence, this study was conducted to
isolate and identify enteric bacteria from house flies collected from various locations in
Health Campus, USM. Isolation and identification of bacteria was performed using
conventional culture and identification methods. Total of 16 isolates as identified from
six locations in the vicinity of Health Campus, USM which were three of the cafes;
Harmoni, Murni and PPSK, sewage pond, garbage dumping site and animal house.
Bacteria from genera Escherichia, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Proteus and Serratia were
identified. Both E. coli and Proteus spp. exhibited the highest number of isolates, n=5,
respectively, followed by Enterobacter spp., n=3, Klebsiella spp., n=2 and Serratia sp.,
n=1. This study has confirmed the ability of house flies in carrying pathogenic enteric
bacteria and may spread them into human habitations which have the possibility to cause
food borne illnesses.
Description
Keywords
Gastrointestinal microbiome