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New insight in the epidemiology of avian botulism outbreaks: necrophagous flies as vectors of C lostridium botulinum type C / D
Author(s) -
Anza Ibone,
Vidal Dolors,
Mateo Rafael
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
environmental microbiology reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.229
H-Index - 69
ISSN - 1758-2229
DOI - 10.1111/1758-2229.12197
Subject(s) - botulism , outbreak , clostridium botulinum , biology , maggot , veterinary medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , zoology , ecology , toxin , virology , medicine
Summary Avian botulism outbreaks spread through the bird carcass–maggot cycle, in which C lostridium botulinum and blowflies interact to ensure their reproduction in a mutualistic relationship where neurotoxin/spore‐bearing maggot is one of the keystones. Here we investigated the hypothesis that adult blowflies may also play a significant role in botulism outbreaks by carrying C . botulinum cells between carcasses. We carried out a field experiment placing bird carcasses free of C . botulinum type C / D in containers only accessible to necrophagous flying insects in wetlands where avian botulism outbreaks were occurring and in control sites. Additionally, we performed laboratory trials to evaluate if blowflies may carry C . botulinum type C / D and for how long. Maggots bearing C . botulinum type C / D developed in 27.5% of carcasses placed in wetlands during botulism outbreaks. C alliphoridae flies in laboratory trials were able to transfer C . botulinum between two points and excreted it in their spots for up to 24 h after an infective feeding. Our results confirm that adult necrophagous flies play a role in the spreading of botulism outbreaks, which have implications in the epidemiology of this disease.