A reduced potential for lameness bacterial transmission by Lucilia sericata larvae and flies through metamorphosis.
Res Vet Sci
; 163: 104967, 2023 Oct.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37572417
ABSTRACT
Lameness in sheep is one of the most serious issues on farms in the UK and worldwide, affecting over 90% of all UK sheep flocks. Despite its severity and prevalence, there are knowledge gaps regarding transmission routes of bacterial pathogens associated with infectious lameness in sheep. As larvae of Lucilia sericata are commonly found on foot lesions on lame sheep, it was hypothesised that the flies or their larvae could harbour lameness associated bacteria. This study examined the gut contents of larvae obtained from the foot lesions of lame sheep and compared them to control larvae collected from infested cat food on the same farm. Of particular interest, were the presence of three different bacterial genera associated with lameness; Fusobacterium necrophorum, Dichelobacter nodosus and Treponema spp., for which viability was also investigated. Larvae were cultured In vitro and some allowed to metamorphose into flies before specific PCR assays were carried out on the gut contents. Results showed a significant association between the bacteria on the feet of the sheep and those within the larvae. Although the gut contents of all larvae found on sheep feet contained one or more of the lameness bacteria, none of the bacteria were recovered from the adult flies, suggesting a level of gut remodelling during metamorphosis. Interestingly, Treponema spp. and Fusobacterium spp. were viable when isolated from gut contents of larvae. Maintenance of infection from larvae to fly did not occur. However, it still remains important to control both disease and insect populations of farms to maintain animal welfare.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Enfermedades de las Ovejas
/
Enfermedades de los Gatos
/
Dípteros
/
Panadizo Interdigital
Tipo de estudio:
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Res Vet Sci
Año:
2023
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Reino Unido