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Published on: October 6, 2017
Experimental evaluation of Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae) as a vector of Newcastle disease virus
D Wes Watson1, Elina L Niño, Kateryn Rochon
1Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA. wes_watson@ncsu.edu
Abstract:
House flies, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), were examined for their ability to harbor and transmit Newcastle disease virus (family Paramyxoviridae, genus Avulavirus, NDV) by using a mesogenic NDV strain. Laboratory-reared flies were experimentally exposed to NDV (Roakin strain) by allowing flies to imbibe an inoculum consisting of chicken embryo-propagated virus. NDV was detected in dissected crops and intestinal tissues from exposed flies for up to 96 and 24 h postexposure, respectively; no virus was detected in crops and intestines of sham-exposed flies. The potential of the house fly to directly transmit NDV to live chickens was examined by placing 14-d-old chickens in contact with NDV-exposed house flies 2 h after flies consumed NDV inoculum. NDV-exposed house flies contained approximately 10(4) 50% infectious doses (ID50) per fly, but no transmission of NDV was observed in chickens placed in contact with exposed flies at densities as high as 25 flies per bird. Subsequent dose-response studies demonstrated that oral exposure, the most likely route for fly-to-chicken transmission, required an NDV (Roakin) dose > or =10(6) ID50. These results indicate that house flies are capable of harboring NDV (Roakin) but that they are poor vectors of the virus because they carry an insufficient virus titer to cause infection.
Insights
House flies can harbor Newcastle disease virus (NDV) for a limited time. However, they are poor vectors, as they do not carry enough virus to infect chickens.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Medical Entomology
- Disease Transmission
Background:
- House flies (Musca domestica) are common insects that can act as mechanical vectors for various pathogens.
- Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is a significant avian pathogen that poses a threat to poultry industries worldwide.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the capability of house flies to harbor and transmit Newcastle disease virus (NDV).
- To determine the potential of house flies as vectors for NDV transmission to chickens.
Main Methods:
- Laboratory-reared house flies were experimentally exposed to a mesogenic strain of NDV (Roakin strain).
- NDV presence in fly tissues (crops and intestines) was assessed post-exposure.
- Chickens were placed in contact with NDV-exposed flies to evaluate direct transmission potential.
- Dose-response studies were conducted to determine the infectious dose required for oral transmission.
Main Results:
- NDV was detected in house fly crops and intestinal tissues up to 96 and 24 hours post-exposure, respectively.
- No NDV transmission to chickens was observed even with high densities of exposed flies (25 flies/bird).
- Oral NDV transmission to chickens required a viral dose greater than or equal to 10^6 50% infectious doses (ID50).
Conclusions:
- House flies can harbor NDV for a limited period but do not efficiently transmit the virus to chickens.
- The virus titer carried by flies is insufficient to cause infection through direct contact.
- House flies are considered poor vectors for Newcastle disease virus transmission to poultry.
