Characterization of bacterial communities in adult house flies (Musca domestica L.) and associated manure samples from beef and dairy cattle farms in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas

Authors: NEUPANE, SARA - Kansas State University; TALLEY, JUSTIN - Oklahoma State University; SWIGER, SONJA - Texas A&M University; PICKENS, VICTORIA - Kansas State University; PARK, YOONSEONG - Kansas State University; Nayduch, Dana

Submitted to: Current Microbiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/22/2024
Publication Date: 10/30/2024
Citation: Neupane, S., Talley, J.L., Swiger, S.L., Pickens, V., Park, Y., Nayduch, D. 2024. Characterization of bacterial communities in adult house flies (Musca domestica L.) and associated manure samples from beef and dairy cattle farms in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Current Microbiology. (2024) 81:433. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-024-03870-y.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-024-03870-y

Interpretive Summary: Adult house flies carry and transmit bacteria in livestock operations. These bacteria are acquired by flies from sources in their environment and therefore the composition of the bacterial community found in flies is linked to the location within which they are collected. This study aimed to characterize the types of bacteria found in flies and manure from beef cattle feedlots and dairy cattle operations in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas over four months. The species of bacteria carried by flies varied among individual flies and chnged over time, yet overall the types of bacteria carried within flies was linked to the farm where they were collected. Further, over 99% of the house fly bacteria species also were found in manure from the same location. Bacterial species of veterinary and medical importance were highly prevalent in flies, including species that cause bovine pink eye and respiratory diseases. These bacteria were present in flies and were either absent or very low abundance in manure, suggesting that flies acquire the bacteria from, and potentially transfer among, cattle at these locations. This study underscores the crucial role house flies play as carriers and disseminators of bacteria that can impact cattle health. Additionally, this study demonstrates that flies can be used to monitor bacteria that are present in both manure and animals at cattle operations.

Technical Abstract: Adult house flies (Musca domestica L.) are important reservoirs and mechanical vectors of bacteria in livestock operations. House fly bacterial communities are influenced by their local environment, yet a comprehensive understanding of bacterial diversity, pathogen prevalence, and bacterial source is not fully understood. We characterized bacterial communities from adult female house flies and associated manure samples from beef and dairy cattle farms in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas over four months (July-October). Bacterial community composition in flies and manure reflected the local environment, and house flies shared the majority (=99%) of bacterial taxa with manure. The variability of bacterial diversity was greater among individual fly samples than manure. Temporal variability of fly bacterial diversity was observed within each farm type. Bacterial taxa of veterinary and medical importance were highly prevalent in flies, constituting core bacterial communities. The prevalence of bacterial taxa associated with bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) and bovine respiratory disease (BRD) was higher in flies than in manure and prevalence varied monthly. This study underscores the crucial role house flies play as carriers of cattle pathogens, contributing to their dissemination among animals and to off-site locations, where they pose a threat to surrounding communities and agricultural operations.