Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Audiences reached were scientists and food safety experts Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The information has been disseminated through scientific meetings and through food safety networks. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Researchers have examined the digestive tracts of house flies under microscopes and confirmed that they can carry many pathogens, such as E. coli and Salmonella. Related studies have analyzed how flies spread these pathogens from livestock production areas into residential environments. Drinking water and feed were both found to be contaminated with bacteria spread by flies. Researchers have also assessed how the risk of fly-borne illnesses varies when different production techniques and types of facilities are used.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Pace, R. , J. Talley, J. Fletcher, and A. Wayadande. Assessment of blow fly resting behavior on plants using a newly developed model. 2013 Southwestern Branch of the ESA, Las Cruces, NM.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Dubie, T., J. Talley, and A. Wayadande. 2012. Dispersal of Musca domestica out of livestock facilities and evaluation of habitat corridors. 2013 Southwestern Branch of the ESA, Las Cruces, NM.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Wasala, L., J. Talley, U. Desilva, J. Fletcher and A. Wayadande. 2013. Transfer of Escherichia coli O157:H7 to spinach by house flies (Musca domestica). Phytopathology 103:373-380.
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Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Muscoid flies are widespread pests of all livestock industries and cause up to 2 billion dollars in losses annually. The increase of insecticide resistance is currently increasing treatment costs. To compound the increase in treatment costs many muscoid flies have been implicated in the transmission of pathogenic organisms such as E. coli O157: H7 which have lead many in the general public to blame the livestock producers. Better understanding of the role muscoid flies play in the epidemiology of pathogenic bacteria is major goal. The research conducted during this period discovered the expanded role that mucoid flies play in the dissemination of E. coli O157: H7 into leafy green fields. Results of this work were communicated to other entomologists at the Annual Entomological Society Meeting. This work was also presented at an industry sponsored meeting in California where several representatives from the fresh produce industry solicited collaborative support for the continuance of this research. This collaboration has resulted in the sharing of information and the submission of a research grant proposal. We plan to submit additional grant proposals in the near future. Pace, R. , J. Talley, J. Fletcher, and A. Wayadande. Assessment of blow fly resting behavior on plants using a newly developed model. 2012 Southwestern Branch of the ESA, Little Rock, AR. Pace, R., J. Talley, and A. Wayadande. Movement of human pathogens E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica to lettuce by the blow fly, Phormia regina (Meigen). Biochemistry Graduate Research Symposium, Stillwater, OK, 2012. Pace, R., J. Talley, and A. Wayadande. Movement of human pathogens E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica to lettuce by the blow fly, Phormia regina (Meigen). Entomological Society of America National Meeting, Knoxville, TN, 2012. Dubie, T., J. Talley, and A. Wayadande. 2012. Dispersal of Musca domestica out of livestock facilities and evaluation of habitat corridors. 60th Annual Entomological Society of America National Meeting, Reno, NV. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
A viable, working colony of calliphorid flies was established at Oklahoma State University. Using colony flies, a method of counting defecation and regurgitation spots on leaf surfaces was to estimate fly visitation was developed. A comparison of lettuce to marigold, sunflower, and wheat showed that blow flies alighted on lettuce and sunflower plants more often than on marigold plants. Regurgitation spots of house flies fed an attenuated strain of E. coli O157:H7 mixed with manure were found to contain bacteria that multiplied on the surface of spinach plants when detected by relative quantitative PCR. Bacteria were observed on the surface of plants in low numbers, but several cells had fimbria-like structures in contact with the plant surface. Similarly, E. coli O157:H7 was detected by serological and PCR methods on the cuticular surface of fly mouthparts and feet for up to 13 days after acquisition. These findings prompted the inclusion of an additional set of experiments designed to differentiate between live and dead bacteria associated with flies available for transmission to plants. House flies, Musca domestica, are well known pests inexorably linked to commercial livestock operations, and they also serve as mechanical vectors of various human pathogens including E. coli 0157:H7. Changes in the landscape from anthropogenic activity have resulted in increased exposure to house fly pests, and monitoring their movements is paramount in assessing the risks associated with flies emigrating from livestock facilities. This study focused on edge following behavior and the use of habitat corridors by house flies. Artificial structures designed to represent tree and shrub lines were constructed in a field south of a beef feedlot facility. Marked house flies were released at individual sites containing 3 m walls, 1.5 m walls and a control site with no wall. Movement of the house flies was monitored using sticky traps placed within each wall, at the opposite end of each wall, and at the top of each wall. Weather data including rainfall, wind direction were also incorporated into the analysis. A portion of these data was also used in a study evaluating protein markers for use in mark-release-recapture studies with house flies. The information provided in these studies may contribute to the development of pest management programs that can help decrease the nuisance created by large numbers of house flies invading residential areas.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Muscoid flies are widespread pests of all livestock industries and cause up to 2 billion dollars in losses annually. The increase of insecticide resistance is currently increasing treatment costs. To compound the increase in treatment costs many muscoid flies have been implicated in the transmission of pathogenic organisms such as E. coli O157: H7 which have lead many in the general public to blame the livestock producers. Better understanding of the role muscoid flies play in the epidemiology of pathogenic bacteria is major goal. The research conducted during this period discovered the expanded role that mucoid flies play in the dissemination of E. coli O157: H7 into leafy green fields. Results of this work were communicated to other entomologists at the Annual Entomological Society Meeting. This work was also presented at an industry sponsored meeting in California where several representatives from the fresh produce industry solicited collaborative support for the continuance of this research. This collaboration has resulted in the sharing of information and the submission of a research grant proposal. We plan to submit additional grant proposals in the near future. the near future. Pace, R. , J. Talley, J. Fletcher, and A. Wayadande. Assessment of blow fly resting behavior on plants using a newly developed model. Southwestern Branch of the ESA, Amarillo TX, March 3-7, 2001. Solorzano, C., J. Talley, U. DeSilva, and A. Wayadande. 2011. Using stable isotope analysis to determine developmental origin of house flies, implications for food safety. Southeastern Branch of the ESA, Puerto Rico. Wasala, L., J. Talley, J. Fletcher, U. DeSilva and A. Wayadande. Colonization of the spinach phyllosphere after fly regurgitation . American Phytopathological Society National Meeting, Aug. 6-11, 2011. Pace, R., J. Talley, and A. Wayadande. Movement of human pathogens E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica to lettuce by the blow fly, Phormia regina (Meigen). Biochemistry Graduate Research Symposium, Stillwater, OK, September 15, 2011. Pace, R., J. Talley, and A. Wayadande. Movement of human pathogens E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica to lettuce by the blow fly, Phormia regina (Meigen). Entomological Society of America National Meeting, Reno, NV, Nov. 12-16, 2011. Wayadande, A. J. Talley, A. Gerry, U. Desilva, and J. Fletcher. Defense Threat Reduction Agency: Chemical and Biological Threats convention, Las Vegas, NV, Nov. 14-18, 2011. Dubie, T., J. Talley, and A. Wayadande. 2011. Dispersal of Musca domestica out of livestock facilities and evaluation of habitat corridors. 59th Annual Entomological Society of America National Meeting, Reno, NV. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
A viable, working colony of calliphorid flies was established at Oklahoma State University. Using colony flies, a method of counting defecation and regurgitation spots on leaf surfaces was to estimate fly visitation was developed. A comparison of lettuce to marigold, sunflower, and wheat showed that blow flies alighted on lettuce and sunflower plants more often than on marigold plants. Regurgitation spots of house flies fed an attenuated strain of E. coli O157:H7 mixed with manure were found to contain bacteria that multiplied on the surface of spinach plants when detected by relative quantitative PCR. Bacteria were observed on the surface of plants in low numbers, but several cells had fimbria-like structures in contact with the plant surface. Similarly, E. coli O157:H7 was detected by serological and PCR methods on the cuticular surface of fly mouthparts and feet for up to 13 days after acquisition. These findings prompted the inclusion of an additional set of experiments designed to differentiate between live and dead bacteria associated with flies available for transmission to plants. Forensic tools to determine origin of pathogen-bearing flies: To determine if flies reared under different conditions have a unique cellular footprint, a stable isotope analysis was carried out on flies reared on 5 different substrates. The stable isotope analysis revealed discreet clustering of flies based upon C13/C14 and N15/N14 ratios.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Muscoid flies are widespread pests of all livestock industries and cause up to 2 billion dollars in losses annually. The increase of insecticide resistance is currently increasing treatment costs. To compound the increase in treatment costs many muscoid flies have been implicated in the transmission of pathogenic organisms such as E. coli O157: H7 which have lead many in the general public to blame the livestock producers. Better understanding of the role muscoid flies play in the epidemiology of pathogenic bacteria is major goal. The research conducted during this period discovered the expanded role that mucoid flies play in the dissemination of E. coli O157: H7 into leafy green fields. Results of this work were communicated to other entomologists at the Annual Entomological Society Meeting. This work was also presented at an industry sponsored meeting in California where several representatives from the fresh produce industry solicited collaborative support for the continuance of this research. This collaboration has resulted in the sharing of information and the submission of a research grant proposal. We plan to submit additional grant proposals in the near future. PARTICIPANTS: Astri Wayadande, Entomology and Plant Pathology (OSU); Jacqueline Fletcher, Entomology and Plant Pathology (OSU); Rebecca Pace, Entomology and Plant Pathology (OSU); Trisha Dubie, Entomology and Plant Pathology (OSU). TARGET AUDIENCES: Beef producers, Leafy Green Growers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The research conducted during this period was designed to determine the role of muscoid flies originating from livestock facilities transmitting E. coli O157: H7 into leafy green fields. We have confirmed the role house flies play in retaining E. coli O157: H7 for up to 13 days after exposed to different acquisition sources. Observations of bacteria dividing on the external surfaces of the house flies were noted from only those flies exposed to E. coli O157: H7 acquisition sources. Utilization of quantitative PCR (qPCR) we were able to determine that the number of bacteria increased within a house fly regurgitation spot on the surface of a spinach leaf. Further studies are ongoing but the data suggests that muscoid flies could serve as passive vectors of pathogenic organisms to fresh produce fields.
Publications
- Lakmini Wasala, Dissemination of E. coli O157:H7 to the spinach phylloplane by house flies, Musca domestica L. Masters thesis, 2010, Oklahoma State University.
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Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Muscoid flies are widespread pests of all livestock industries and cause up to 2 billion dollars in losses annually. The increase of insecticide resistance is currently increasing treatment costs. To compound the increase in treatment costs many muscoid flies have been implicated in the transmission of pathogenic organisms such as E. coli O157: H7 which have lead many in the general public to blame the livestock producers. Better understanding of the role muscoid flies play in the epidemiology of pathogenic bacteria is major goal. The research conducted during this period discovered the expanded role that mucoid flies play in the dissemination of E. coli O157: H7 into leafy green fields. Results of this work were communicated to other entomologists at the Annual Entomological Society Meeting. This work was also presented at an industry sponsored meeting in California where several representatives from the fresh produce industry solicited collaborative support for the continuance of this research. This collaboration has resulted in the sharing of information and the submission of a research grant proposal. We plan to submit additional grant proposals in the near future. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The research conducted during this period was designed to determine the role of muscoid flies originating from livestock facilities transmitting E. coli O157: H7 into leafy green fields. We have confirmed through PCR that flies collected from leafy green fields did have E. coli O157: H7. However, we were unable to determine where the flies' place of origin was located. We conducted further studies in the laboratory with GFP-tagged E. coli O157: H7 to determine the efficiency of transmission as well as the possibility for the E. coli O157: H7 to colonize on spinach leaves. Current studies have demonstrated colonization of GFP-tagged E. coli O157: H7 on specific structures on the flies' mouthparts and legs. Further studies are ongoing but the data suggests that muscoid flies could serve as passive vectors of pathogenic organisms to fresh produce fields.
Publications
- Talley, J.L., A.C. Wayadande, L.P. Wasala, A.C. Gerry, J. Fletcher, U. DeSilva, S.E. Gilliland. 2009. Association of Escherichia coli O157:H7 with Filth Flies (Muscidae and Calliphoridae) Captured in Leafy Greens Fields and Experimental Transmission of E. coli O157:H7 to Spinach Leaves by House Flies (Diptera: Muscidae). J. Food. Protec. 72: 1547-1552.
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Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Muscoid flies are widespread pests of all livestock industries and cause up to 2 billion dollars in losses annually. The increase of insecticide resistance is currently increasing treatment costs. To compound the increase in treatment costs many muscoid flies have been implicated in the transmission of pathogenic organisms such as E. coli O157: H7 which have lead many in the general public to blame the livestock producers. Better understanding of the role muscoid flies play in the epidemiology of pathogenic bacteria is major goal. The research conducted during this period discovered the expanded role that mucoid flies play in the dissemination of E. coli O157: H7 into leafy green fields. Results of this work were communicated to other entomologists at the Annual Entomological Society Meeting. This work was also presented at an industry sponsored meeting in California where several representatives from the fresh produce industry solicited collaborative support for the continuance of this research. This collaboration has resulted in the sharing of information and the submission of a research grant proposal. We plan to submit additional grant proposals in the near future. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The research conducted during this period was designed to determine the role of muscoid flies originating from livestock facilities transmitting E. coli O157: H7 into leafy green fields. We have confirmed through PCR that flies collected from leafy green fields did have E. coli O157: H7. However, we were unable to determine where the flies' place of origin was located. We conducted further studies in the laboratory with GFP-tagged E. coli O157: H7 to determine the efficiency of transmission as well as the possibility for the E. coli O157: H7 to colonize on spinach leaves. In addition, when flies were exposed to GFP-tagged E. coli O157: H7 contaminated manure then released to spinach plants the GFP tag could be seen under the microscope and enumerated. Further studies are ongoing but the data suggests that muscoid flies could serve as passive vectors of pathogenic organisms to fresh produce fields.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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