Filth Flies As Carriers of Intestinal Parasites And Fungi in a Tertiary Institution in Ghana

Introduction: Filth flies can mechanically transmit pathogens, some of which can cause significant diseases in humans and animals. Methods: This study aimed at isolating and identifying pathogenic fungi and intestinal parasites from flies sampled with sweep nets and fly traps from different dumps...

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Main Authors: Seth Offei Addo1, 2*, Jennifer Oppong1, Elisha Monikey Achawe1, Barbara Baah Nketia1, Prince Boateng Agyei1, John Asiedu Larbi1*
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Pasteur Institute of Iran 2022-12-01
Series:Journal of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
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Online Access:https://jommid.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-489-en.html
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author Seth Offei Addo1, 2*
Jennifer Oppong1
Elisha Monikey Achawe1
Barbara Baah Nketia1
Prince Boateng Agyei1
John Asiedu Larbi1*
author_facet Seth Offei Addo1, 2*
Jennifer Oppong1
Elisha Monikey Achawe1
Barbara Baah Nketia1
Prince Boateng Agyei1
John Asiedu Larbi1*
author_sort Seth Offei Addo1, 2*
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Filth flies can mechanically transmit pathogens, some of which can cause significant diseases in humans and animals. Methods: This study aimed at isolating and identifying pathogenic fungi and intestinal parasites from flies sampled with sweep nets and fly traps from different dumpsites in a tertiary institution. Dumpsites at the various halls of residence were designated A, B, C, and D. Results: Pathogens were mostly isolated from the body surfaces of the flies. The 605 captured filth flies belonged to the two families, Calliphoridae (77.69%) and Muscidae (22.31%). Three genera of fungi were identified, with Aspergillus (91.69%) as the most predominant, followed by Penicillium (5.23%) and Rhizopus (3.08%). The intestinal parasites identified from only the external body surfaces of the sampled flies were protozoans, Cryptosporidium parvum (95%), and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (0.83%), as well as helminths including Ascaris lumbricoides (3.34%) and Strongyloides stercoralis (0.83%). The percentage occurrence of fungi (57.54%) and intestinal parasites (85.83%) isolated from flies caught at dumpsites D and B were higher than those isolated from flies caught in any of the other study sites. Conclusion: This study confirms filthy flies as mechanical transmitters of pathogens and emphasizes adopting control measures to prevent the possible spread of infections within the university community.
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publishDate 2022-12-01
publisher Pasteur Institute of Iran
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series Journal of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
spelling doaj-art-ccffc4bbe88c41338b5bbd6b47d8f3e42025-08-20T03:09:32ZengPasteur Institute of IranJournal of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases2345-53492345-53302022-12-0110417918510.52547/JoMMID.10.4.179Filth Flies As Carriers of Intestinal Parasites And Fungi in a Tertiary Institution in GhanaSeth Offei Addo1, 2*0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4470-4504Jennifer Oppong11https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4765-2263Elisha Monikey Achawe12https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2089-055XBarbara Baah Nketia13https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5139-1409Prince Boateng Agyei14https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3331-2871John Asiedu Larbi1*5https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2396-02691Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana;2Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana.1Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana1Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana1Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana1Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana1Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, GhanaIntroduction: Filth flies can mechanically transmit pathogens, some of which can cause significant diseases in humans and animals. Methods: This study aimed at isolating and identifying pathogenic fungi and intestinal parasites from flies sampled with sweep nets and fly traps from different dumpsites in a tertiary institution. Dumpsites at the various halls of residence were designated A, B, C, and D. Results: Pathogens were mostly isolated from the body surfaces of the flies. The 605 captured filth flies belonged to the two families, Calliphoridae (77.69%) and Muscidae (22.31%). Three genera of fungi were identified, with Aspergillus (91.69%) as the most predominant, followed by Penicillium (5.23%) and Rhizopus (3.08%). The intestinal parasites identified from only the external body surfaces of the sampled flies were protozoans, Cryptosporidium parvum (95%), and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (0.83%), as well as helminths including Ascaris lumbricoides (3.34%) and Strongyloides stercoralis (0.83%). The percentage occurrence of fungi (57.54%) and intestinal parasites (85.83%) isolated from flies caught at dumpsites D and B were higher than those isolated from flies caught in any of the other study sites. Conclusion: This study confirms filthy flies as mechanical transmitters of pathogens and emphasizes adopting control measures to prevent the possible spread of infections within the university community.https://jommid.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-489-en.htmlfilth fliesaspergilluscryptosporidiumascaris
spellingShingle Seth Offei Addo1, 2*
Jennifer Oppong1
Elisha Monikey Achawe1
Barbara Baah Nketia1
Prince Boateng Agyei1
John Asiedu Larbi1*
Filth Flies As Carriers of Intestinal Parasites And Fungi in a Tertiary Institution in Ghana
Journal of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
filth flies
aspergillus
cryptosporidium
ascaris
title Filth Flies As Carriers of Intestinal Parasites And Fungi in a Tertiary Institution in Ghana
title_full Filth Flies As Carriers of Intestinal Parasites And Fungi in a Tertiary Institution in Ghana
title_fullStr Filth Flies As Carriers of Intestinal Parasites And Fungi in a Tertiary Institution in Ghana
title_full_unstemmed Filth Flies As Carriers of Intestinal Parasites And Fungi in a Tertiary Institution in Ghana
title_short Filth Flies As Carriers of Intestinal Parasites And Fungi in a Tertiary Institution in Ghana
title_sort filth flies as carriers of intestinal parasites and fungi in a tertiary institution in ghana
topic filth flies
aspergillus
cryptosporidium
ascaris
url https://jommid.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-489-en.html
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