The Role of Non-Biting Synanthropic Flies in Mechanical Transmission of Medically Important Intestinal Parasites in Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

Synantropic flies are those flies associated ecologically with human and have been linked with the transmission of bacteria, viruses, fungi, soil-transmitted helminthes (STH) and some protozoa. A survey of synanthropic flies was carried out in Anambra State using constructed fly trap boxes. Standard parasitological techniques were employed to detect parasitic organisms on the caught flies. A total of 4566 synanthropic flies were caught from six different communities in Anambra State during the study. The caught flies were: Musca domestica1975 (43.3%), Calliphoravicina640 (14.0%), Chrysomyamegacephala1051 (23.0%) Sarcophaga sp. 225 (4.9%), Drosophila sp. 384 (8.4%) and Muscinastabulans 291 (6.3%). The highest number of flies was caught from abattoir 1804 (39.5%) followed by market 1621 (35.5%), while the least was from residential area 1141 (25.0%). A total of 535 parasites made up of five intestinal helminthes and two protozoa parasites were isolated from the flies during the study. The helminths parasites were Ascaris lumbricoides 146 (27.3%), Trichuris trichiura32 (6.0%) Hookworm 45 (8.4%) and Enterobius vermicularis 50 (9.3%) and the protozoan parasites were Entamoeba. histolytica 128 (23.9%) and Giardia lamblia 54 (10.1%). A. lumbricoides eggs 146 (27.3%) was the most prevalent parasites isolated. Parasite burdens in external surface of the flies 328 (61.3%) was significantly higher statistically (P< 0.05) than in the gut 207 (38.7%). This study highlights the importance of implementing effective control measures, including community health education and proper environmental sanitation, that actively engage the entire community.